DIVISION 5
no exposure threat, other than the trash piles in the yard. The fire was
quickly knocked down with no injuries reported. This fire is also under
investigation as possible arson.
29 PALMS ANNEXATION
JOHN CHAMBERLIN DIVISION CHIEF
LABOR REP. DARRELL FEUERHAHN
BY BRYAN HOVERMAN
MT42
Division 5, as with every other division in County Fire, continues to experience
an increase in call volume. However, due to the large distance between
stations, thin resources, and low staffing levels, Division 5 personnel must
adapt to each situation and handle them accordingly. Large incidents and
major fires that require our personnel tax us to the limit. The last quarter has
been no different. Division 5 remained busy with everyday calls along with
major incidents and staffing issues.
INCIDENTS
The end of July saw the Morongo Basin get hit with fast,
heavy rains. This resulted in flooding throughout the area.
On July 30, County Fire Crew 6-1 and Inmate Crew 15-3
(wildland firefighting hand crews) responded to the 29
Palms area to assist the 29 Palms FD with sandbagging
flooded areas. Being able to utilize our hand crews for
various operational needs not only benefits SBCoFD, but
also our neighboring agencies as well.
On August 8, 2015, ME31 in Needles was called on to
assist agencies in Arizona with the Willow Fire. The fast
moving vegetation fire located in Fort Mojave, Ariz., quickly
threatened structures in the area. ME31 was assigned to
structure defense for the majority of the incident. Having
recently increased the staffing on ME31 from two to three
personnel aided in ME31’s ability to do their job properly
and safely.
State Assembly member Chad Mayes tours the
Lake Fire burn area by air.
their aerial ladder. Units from 29 Palms, Morongo Valley Fire and CalFire
responded with the second alarm. During the investigation, security
camera footage was viewed by investigators and it was discovered that
the fire was intentionally set by a local vagrant.
Yucca Valley units responded to two fatal traffic collisions (T/C) within
one week and one mile apart from each other. The first was a two vehicle
T/C in which one vehicle rolled over during the collision killing the driver.
The second was a head on collision involving a passenger truck and a
school bus full of children. The driver of the truck sustained fatal injuries,
while there were only a few minor injuries being reported from the school
bus passengers. Proper incident organization and cooperation between
several agencies, including sheriff, school district and CHP allowed for
the incident to run smoothly.
ME41, ME42 and ME36 responded to a structure fire in a mobile
home park. First arriving unit found a well involved mobile home with
Photo: Sky Rodriguez
Division 5 sent ME41 (Yucca Valley) to the Summit Fire in
Big Bear Lake in late August to assist multiple agencies
with mitigating an immediate fire threat to the Big Bear
Valley.
28
In the early morning hours of August 28, ME41, ME42 and
ME36 along with BC137 responded to a commercial fire at
the Walmart in Yucca Valley. Multiple reports were coming
in as ME41 reported a large black header of smoke and
flames seen from over a mile away. Upon arrival, ME41
encountered a large exterior fire being fueled by several
40-50 gallon propane tanks that were venting as the fire
engulfed their storage cages. The fire was quickly knocked
down, but extension checks posed a problem as there was
damage all the way up to the building’s facade and roofline.
MT451 from Combat Center Fire provided assistance with
FIREWIRE | Fall 2015
On August 26, the Twentynine Palms Water District, the governing
authority of the 29 Palms Fire Department, adopted a resolution seeking
annexation of the Twentynine Palms Fire Department into County Fire.
As a result of H