Mutliple Agencies Assist in Brushfire

Willow Creek - 

On April 12, 2015 around 12:30 pm, Pinion Pine firefighters were dispatched to a smoke check in the area of Willow Creek off of exit 87 on Interstate 40. Additional information was obtained that the reported fire was roughly 8 miles north of the Interstate near the power lines. E513 arrived in the area confirmed smoke in the area. Once the crew arrived on scene they found what appeared to be two separate fires, roughly half a mile apart. Due to access issues, the limited resources on scene and the extreme potential, E513 requested an additional three type 6 engines, one helicopter and and ICT4.

That order was filled as

• E3664 from Kingman BLM (T6)
• A135 from Golden Valley (T6)
• B526R from Pinion Pine (T6)
• Division 803 from Mohave Valley (ICT4)
• DPS Kingman Ranger (T3 helicopter)
• Flagstaff 2-4 (AZSF AFMO)

BLM E3664 initially took over IC of the fire until Division 803 arrived on scene and had Ranger fly the fires to determine the number, size and rate of spread of the fires. Ranger reported 2 fires, both roughly 5 acres, with slow rate of spread burning in grass, brush and pinyon-juniper. Once Division 803 arrived, an order was made for a hand crew which was filled by Winslow 1.

Crews remained on scene for the next 2 days, assisting hand crews with mopping up and containment of both fires and monitored them during incoming red flag conditions. The two fires were mapped and recorded as 2.1 acres and 2.6 acres. Both fires were 100% contained by 4/15/2015. A fire investigator was dispatched to the scene and was unable to determine the cause of the fire.

Article and Photos by Captain Ron Hood

Pinion Pine Firefighter Begins 800 Mile Walk for Pancreatic Cancer

Route 66 -

On January 3, 2015, Pinion Pine firefighter Anthony Leach began his 800 mile walk, raising awareness and money to help combat pancreatic cancer.

 

In early December, Anthony lost a close loved one to pancreatic cancer and since has been preparing for a remarkable journey. Anthony has decided to walk Historic Route 66 from the California-Arizona border to the Texas-New Mexico border. His trip is roughly 800 miles and will be done solely on foot. His trip will take approximately 3 months to complete with a goal of averaging 25 miles per day. Anthony is an extremely athletic individual who regularly participates in ultra marathons and trail running events.

During his trip, Anthony will be promoting Pancan.org, an organization dedicated to the research for pancreatic cancer. He has set up a few sites for donations, listed below.

Raising Karma - 800 Miles for Pancreatic Cancer
Go Fund Me - 800 Mile Walk for Cancer
Facebook - 800 Miles for Pancreatic Cancer

Day 1 near Golden Shores, Az

Anthony's progress will be tracked by family and the Fire District via GPS and we will be giving regular updates on his progress as they come in. You can also track his journey via his Facebook page listed above. We wish Anthony a safe and enjoyable experience!

Story by Captain Ron Hood, Pinion Pine Fire District

New Years Storm Creates Havok

New Years Winter Storm -

On New Years Eve morning, just as our wild winter storm began to dump inches of snow in our area, the calls began flooding into the Kingman 911Center. Ours began at 4:30 am, and continued throughout the day into the evening and into the following morning. When it was all said and done, Pinion Pine firefighters responded to 13 Motor vehicle accidents ranging from minor injuries to ejections as other area fire departments responded to dozens of accidents on Interstate 40, Highway 93, Highway 68 and within the city limits.

 

On January 1, 2015 at 2:55 in the morning, crews were dispatched to Highway 93 near mile marker 114 (Wikieup, Az) for a semi accident off the road. Crews arrived on scene to find a semi on the shoulder with the driver still inside the vehicle. The patient was removed from the vehicle and transported to an area hospital by ground.

Crews would get little relief, shortly after returning to quarters, E513 was dispatched to Highway 93 near mile marker 106 for a vehicle rollover. Crews treated one patient for minor injuries and was transported by ground to an area hospital. At this time, multiple calls began coming into 911. Next stop, mile marker 126 on Highway 93 for a vehicle that rolled multiple times down an embankment, roughly 100 ft with one ejected occupant. Crews arrived and treated 2 patients, one flown to Phoenix by Careflight and one by ground. 

Firefighters responded to two more vehicle accidents and encountered multiple slide offs while returning to quarters. This winter storm is one for the history books. Some parts of Mohave County saw snow that hasn't seen snow in almost 30 years or more. Many routes in our area were severely impacted, causing the closure of Interstate 40 at the Highway 93 south junction, Hualapai Mtn Rd and DW Ranch Rd.

Story by Captain Ron Hood, Pinion Pine Fire District

Photos by Firefighter Brett Nailor, Pinion Pine Fire District

Thanksgiving Morning Vehicle Accident

- Interstate 40

On November 27, 2014 at 7:50 am, E513 and C501 were dispatched to Interstate 40 near the 63 mile marker eastbound for a reported passenger car vs tractor trailer. Crews arrived on scene to find a passenger car that rear ended a tractor trailer that parked on the shoulder. Firefighters evaluated the patient and began patient care. The patient was removed from the vehicle, packaged and transported to an area hospital by ground with a laceration to the head. The driver stated the rising sun made it difficult to see the roadway where he began to drift and struck the parked vehicle on the shoulder. Luckily, there was no occupant in the passenger seat. No other injuries were reported.

Story by Captain Ron Hood, Pinion Pine Fire District
Photos by Captain Gail Jackson, Pinion Pine Fire District

Structure Fire

Blake Ranch -

On the November 26, 2014 around 4:30 pm, the Kingman alarm center received reports of a structure fire near the 2500 block of Rock Chuck Dr. This brought the response of an engine, a water tender and a Chief officer. While responding updates were received that multiple structures were on fire. Resources arrived on scene to find a mobile home type structure about 50% involved.

The scene as firefighters arrived

Crews pulled a CAFS attack line and made entry into the residence where a primary search was conducted on the unburned portion of the house and began fire suppression. Firefighters were able to stop the forward progress of the fire and overhaul began.

Captain Ron Hood / Firefighter Anthony Leach checking for extension

Firefighters Sean Osterman and Harry Doyle are seen overhauling

Much of the structure received smoke and fire damage but many items were able to be salvaged from bedrooms. The cause of the fire is under investigation and is believed to have started in a detached garage near the rear of the structure which spread into the home. Crews on were on scene for roughly 4 hours and no injuries were reported.

Story by Captain Ron Hood, Pinion Pine Fire District
Photos by Captain Gail Jackson, Pinion Pine Fire District

Early Morning Vehicle Fire

Interstate 40 -

On October 18, 2014 around 3:15 AM, firefighters were dispatched to mile marker 71 on Interstate 40 eastbound for a reported fully involved passenger vehicle. E513 arrived on the scene to find a Geo Tracker fully involved on the shoulder. Crews pulled an 1-1/2 pre-connect and began suppressing the fire. Crew made a quick knockdown but unfortunately the vehicle was a complete loss along with the contents inside.

Firefighter Brett Nailor is seen suppressing the fire

The cause of the fire was undetermined but is believed to be related to the vehicel being towed by another vehicle. No injuries were obtained and crews were on scene for roughly 1 hour with no highway restrictions.

Photo and Article by Lieutenant Ron Hood, Pinion Pine Fire District

Quick Attack on RV Fire

Kingman, Az -

On July 12, 2014 at 7:30 AM, Pinion Pine firefighters received an alarm for a commercial vehicle fire at exit 59 on Interstate 40 which brought the response of Engine 511, Brush 526 and Chief 501. Additional information was received, stating the fire was going to be in an RV not a commercial vehicle. The first unit arrived on scene in 4 minutes, just south of Interstate 40 on DW Ranch Rd to find an RV with smoke and fire showing from the front door.

 

Firefighters from B526 pulled an 1-1/2 inch attack line and made entry into the RV, quickly knocking the fire down. Control was obtained in 10 minutes and firefighters from E511 performed overhaul. Unfortunately, much of the RV was destroyed by smoke and fire damage. The cause of the fire was undetermined after investigation and no injuries were reported.

Story by Lieutenant Ron Hood, Pinion Pine Fire District
Photos by Captain Gail Jackson, Pinion Pine Fire District