Vehicle Accident with Extrication

Interstate 40 -

On May 29, 2013 around 4:15 pm, Pinion Pine firefighters responded to Interstate 40 near the 67 mile marker westbound for a motor vehicle rollover with entrapment. E521 crew arrived on scene to find a pickup truck hauling a trailer that had left the roadway and rolled several times before resting upright on Nellie Drive, the frontage road that runs along the north side of Interstate 40 from the Blake Ranch Rd exit.

 



Both patients had to be extricated from the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle refused medical treatment. The front seat passenger stated they had hit their head and lost consciousness and complained of lower back pain. The patient was treated by fire and EMS personnel and transported by ground to an area hospital in stable condition. The cause of the accident is being investigated by the Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol. Crews were on scene for approximately one hour, and Interstate traffic was not interrupted from the incident.

 



View Pinion Pine Fire District - 2013 Incident Map in a larger map



Photo by Firefighter Stephan Little
Article by Lt. Ron Hood

Vegetation Fire Brings Multi-Agency Response

Lazy Y U -

On May 25, 2013 around 3:15 pm, Kingman Alarm received reports of a brushfire near milepost 4 on Hualapai Mountain rd near the camping area. This brought the response of:

• Kingman E241, B246 and Batt. 2
• Pinion Pine E523, B516 and C501
• BLM E3330

Units arrived in the area with a half acre brush fire in a drainage north of Hualapai Mountain rd near a recreation area. Resources began suppressing the fire and were able to contain it quickly. Command was passed over to BLM and fire department resources cleared the scene. Last year, this same area fueled a 6 acre brushfire that was started from individuals discharging fire arms. This fire was also started this way. The area is a popular target practice area just east of the city limits and also a popular camping area which makes it ideal. The downfall is this area is also very dry with light flashy fuels which means fire starts easy and spreads rapidly.

Firefighters from E523 and B516 gather after completing mop up.

Although there are currently no restrictions on BLM lands regarding discharging fire arms, we encourage the community to wait until reasonable conditions exist. The Hualapai Mountains are a critical fire zone for the 2013 season and hot, dry, windy days like this day are all it takes to fuel an aggressive brush fire.

 

Photo and Article by Lt. Ron Hood

Crews Make Quick Work of Semi Fire

Blake Ranch -

On May 23, 2013 at 8 pm, E511 and C501 received an alarm for a tractor trailer on fire at the Blue Beacon truck wash with explosions and structure threat. C501 arrived on scene to find a fully involved tractor trailer inside bay number two. E511 arrived and deployed an 1 3/4 CAFS attack line and quickly knocked the fire down. Paramedics on scene checked the driver for any injuries with none reported. Crews were on scene for approximately 2 hours while overhaul was completed. The tractor was a total loss but extension to the trailer was stopped.

 



The truck wash is closed until engineers inspect the building for any critical damage or failures in the ceiling. No injuries were reported during the fire. The cause of the fire is unknown and damage costs to the structure are under investigation.

 

Article by Lt. Ron Hood

Photos by Firefighter Neal Raines

Pinion Pine Firefighters Extinguish Motor Fire

Blake Ranch -

On May 16, 2013 around 5:30 PM, E511 and C501 were dispatched to the Petro Truck Center for a reported SUV on fire in the parking lot. C501 arrived on scene to find Petro employees had already knocked the fire down with extinguishers but the motor was still smoldering. Firefighters deployed a CAFS attack line and completely suppressed the fire. Upon investigation, it was determined a cut wire behind the motor was arching against the vehicle frame. Firefighters removed the battery cables and advised the owner of the wire failure.

Firefighters Heath Markley and Neal Raines pictured above shortly after the
fire was extinguished.

 

Shortly after units were placed back in service, E511 was dispatched back to the location for a possible rekindle. Upon arrival, firefighters found the SUV out of the parking space being towed by another vehicle. The owner stated he "placed the cables back on the battery to roll up the windows" which activated the fuel pump and power to the exposed wire which reignited the motor. Firefighters again suppressed the fire and cut the battery cables. Units were on scene for approximately one hour and no injuries were reported.

 

 

Article by Lt. Ron Hood

Photo by Capt. Gail Jackson

Trash Burning Causes Half Acre Brushfire

Blake Ranch -

On April 22, 2013 at 12:05 PM, E526 and C501 were dispatched to the area of Old Highway 93 and Rock Chuck Rd for a large brushfire after receiving multiple reports of smoke in the area . Units arrived on scene to find a quarter acre fire near a home that was sparked due to a homeowner burning trash during red flag conditions and left the fire unattended when it was "thought to be out". The main fire was quickly knocked down but multiple spot fires began popping up roughly 100+ ft from the main fire. Due to the nearly ten spot fires that were beginning to torch, E521 was requested for water and manpower. The fire was held at half an acre and crews remained on scene for approximately 2 hours while the fire was contained and mopped up. The homeowner was educated on burning during red flag conditions and although out of the fire district, was strongly urged to notify the fire district in the future for information on current fire weather conditions before burning. We would like to remind the public that when one decides to burn outside, you:

• Choose a cooler day with light to no winds
• Burn in a barrel with a screen over the top of it to minimize the chance of an ember escaping
• Always burn in a cleared area away from flammable items
• With an active water source nearby
• NEVER leave a fire unattended 

 



For those outside of the fire district, we urge you to contact the fire district at 928.757.1207 as a courtesy. We may be aware of fire weather conditions for the day(s) and may strongly recommend to wait until more suitable conditions exist.

For those within the fire district, a burn permit is required for any kind of open burning. One can be obtained by calling Station 51 at 928.757.1207 or stopping by Station 51 (2836 DW Ranch Rd) or Station 52 (6095 E. Firegrounds Rd) Monday through Sunday, 8am - 5pm.

 

Article By Lt. Ron Hood

Photos By Captain Gail Jackson

Early Morning Vehicle Fire Brings Response

Interstate 40 -

On April 15, 2013 around 4:35 AM, E511 and C501 recieved an alarm for a report of a motor vehicle accident on Interstate 40 near the 79 mile marker (Silver Springs). Initial reports indicated two tractor trailers involved and on fire with unknown injuries. C501 arrived on scene to find a single tractor trailer fully involved in the westbound slow lane and approximately 1/4 acre brush involvement. C501 requested B526 and WT528 to the scene. E511 arrived and scene and deployed a 1-1/2 CAFS attack line and began suppression as well as check with the occupants for injuries. All individuals involved were uninjured and refused medical care. The semi was hauling plastic bags and air filters. Crews were on scene for 3 and a half hours with westbound traffic stopped for one hour, then restricted to the fast lane for the remainder of the incident. The cause of the fire is believed to have started from the vehicle accident and the truck and trailer were totaled. No emergency crew injuries were reported.

Firefighters Neal Raines and Matt Young conducting
fire attack.

Lieutenant Ron Hood and Firefighter Matt Young
overhauling the fire.

Article By Lt. Ron Hood

Photos By Firefighter Neal Raines

Firefighters Respond to Officer Involved Rollover

Interstate 40 -

On April 4, 2013 E521 and C501 were dispatched to Interstate 40 near mile marker 65 westbound for an officer involved rollover accident. Units arrived to find a single DPS Highway Patrol unit that had rolled approximately three times with heavy damage resting wheels down. The officer was already self extricated from the vehicle and was being assessed by AMR. The officer was transported by ground to an area hospital with minor injuries. The accident is under investigation by DPS but is believed to be caused by a drivers side rear tire failure. No other individuals were injured and traffic was not affected while crews were on scene.

 

Photo and Article by Lt. Ron Hood