Fully-Involved Motorhome Brings Full Response in Lakeside

Lakeside, CA -

A motorhome on fire next to an occupied residence required a full structure fire resource response in the Glenview area of the Lakeside Fire District on Sunday, October 12, 2014. Initially dispatched as a large vehicle fire (two engines and a duty chief), Heartland Fire Communications dispatchers quickly upgraded the incident to a structure fire resource assignment (four engines, one truck, one medic, two chiefs) as additional calls and information were received.

Lakeside Engine 3 (Lake Jennings fire station) was on scene in just over six minutes reporting heavy smoke showing from the rear of a single-family residence. Engine 3 Captain Wes Barnes assumed Incident Command (IC) and ordered multiple hoselines to be stretched to protect the adjacent homes and attack the fully-involved motorhome in the backyard. The rapid response coupled with the aggressive actions of the first-in companies confined the fire to motorhome and kept the fire from extending to nearby homes.

Lakeside Fire would like to acknowledge our automatic-aid partners for their timely assistance in fighting this dangerous fire. Assisting agencies attending this incident included: E4, T4 (Santee); E8 (Heartland Fire-Rescue); Chief 4801 (Barona). Lakeside unit response included : E3, E1, OES305, M2, Div.4105, Div.4104, Chief 4101. San Diego Sheriff's deputies also assisted.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Firefighter-Paramedic Josh Raczka mops-up the motorhome.

Post by: Captain Scott Culkin, Lakeside Fire District.

Fire Prevention Week 2014

Lakeside, CA

It’s Fire Prevention Week—help us sound the alarm that working smoke alarms save lives.

Saturday, October 11, 2014

It’s the final day of Fire Prevention Week 2014:

■ Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in reported home fires in half. Test yours every month.

■ When smoke alarms fail to operate, it is usually because batteries are missing, disconnected, or dead.

■ Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area & on every level of your home.

■ Working smoke alarms save lives. Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old. #FPW2014

ABOUT FIRE PREVENTION WEEK

Fire Prevention Week was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire, the tragic 1871 conflagration that killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres. The fire began on October 8, but continued into and did most of its damage on October 9, 1871.

According to popular legend, the fire broke out after a cow - belonging to Mrs. Catherine O'Leary - kicked over a lamp, setting first the barn, then the whole city on fire. Chances are you've heard some version of this story yourself; people have been blaming the Great Chicago Fire on the cow and Mrs. O'Leary, for more than 130 years. But recent research by Chicago historian Robert Cromie has helped to debunk this version of events.

Friday, October 10, 2014

Only working smoke alarms can warn you of a fire. Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old. http://ow.ly/zuSbp #FPW2014

Thursday, October 9, 2014

When there is a fire, smoke spreads fast. You need working smoke alarms to give you time to get out. Download the @NFPA Smoke Alarm safety tip sheet & keep your family safe! http://ow.ly/zuSkt #FPW2014

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

When smoke alarms fail to operate, it is usually because batteries are missing, disconnected, or dead. Test your smoke alarms monthly and replace alkaline batteries at least twice a year. http://ow.ly/zuOlR #FPW2014

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area & on every level of your home. http://ow.ly/zuSbp #FPW2014

Monday, October 6, 2014

Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in reported home fires in half. Test yours every month: http://ow.ly/zuOlR #FPW2014

Sunday, October 5, 2014

Smoke alarms

• Almost three of five (60%) of reported home fire deaths in 2007 to 2011 resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
• Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in reported home fires in half.
• In fires considered large enough to activate the smoke alarm, hardwired alarms operated 93% of the time, while battery powered alarms operated only 79% of the time.
• When smoke alarms fail to operate, it is usually because batteries are missing, disconnected, or dead.
• An ionization smoke alarm is generally more responsive to flaming fires and a photoelectric smoke alarm is generally more responsive to smoldering fires. For the best protection, or where extra time is needed, to awaken or assist others, both types of alarms, or combination ionization and photoelectric alarms are recommended.

Post by: Captain Scott Culkin, Lakeside Fire District.

Quick Response in Lakeside Stops Attic Fire

Lakeside, CA - 

Lakeside firefighters responded to a residential fire in the Glenview area of the fire district on Saturday, September 20, 2014. Reported by numerous calls to 911, the fire originated on the exterior of an occupied residence and quickly spread to the attic space.

An occupant of the residence had extinguished the exterior fire before fire department arrival. Engine 1 (Riverview fire station) arrived on scene first with indicators of a running attic fire. Firefighters quickly established a water supply and stretched a hoseline to the interior of the home. Inspection holes opened in the ceiling revealed an advanced fire running the attic. An aggressive interior fire attack coupled with a well-placed rooftop ventilation hole quickly stopped the spreading fire.

Units attending this incident included E1, E2, E26, E3, M2, Div 4104 (Lakeside); T4 (Santee). S.D. County Sheriff deputies also provided assistance. Due to the commitment of Lakeside resources, E10 (Heartland Fire-rescue) was moved to cover Lakeside fire station 2.

Major damage on exterior of home.

Firefighter-paramedics Shane Daunis and Gavin Doudna overhaul the attic.

Post and photos by: Captain Scott Culkin, Lakeside Fire District

Central Zone Sends Strike Teams to Parched Northern California

Lakeside, CA -

As a result of three years of exceptional drought, Northern California is seeing a siege of devastating fires burning in pristine forest land. So far this year the bulk of strike team deployments have been to Northern California.

Recently, a number of new fires have broken out. One of the more ominous fires is the King Fire burning east of Placerville, CA. This fire (much like last year's Rim Fire) is burning in prime forest with exceptionally poor access. For a period of time, the community of Pollock Pines was threatened as were many communities along Highway 50.

Strike Team 6440C: Central Zone Type III Strike Team

 On September 16, 2014, the Central Zone received a request to respond a strike team of brush type engines to the King Fire. This strike team consists of engines from Lakeside, Santee, Alpine, Sycuan, and Viejas fire agencies.

Due to the compact nature of brush engines they have a broad scope of capabilities and adapt well to unimproved roads commonly found in the national forests. They can also conduct structural defense in areas not accessible by the larger structural (Type I) engines.

This will likely be an extended assignment due to the explosive growth of the King Fire.

9/17/14: Strike Team 6440C has arrived in Placerville and is awaiting an assignment.

Central Zone Strike Team 6440C in Placerville, CA

9/17/14: The members of strike team 6440c were assigned to prep structures that could be threatened in the near future. Crews were also tasked with line cutting and putting in a contingency hose lay that can be used by crews to cut off the spread of the fire near these structures. Once again the fire had explosive growth today.

The King Fire with a pyrocumulus cloud towering above the very active fire.

Crew members from strike team 6440c work with a CalFire hand crew to improve a firebreak and put in a contingency hose lay.  

Firefighters line-up for chow at the King Fire base camp.

The crew assigned to Lakeside Brush 1 is (left to right) Captain Blane Darby, Engineer Robert Williams, and Probationary Firefighter Chad Murray

Strike Team 6840A: State of California OES Type I Strike Team

In the very early hours of September 17, 2014, the OES Strike Team 6840A formed up and started the trek to the King Fire. This strike team consists of state-owned OES engines assigned to agencies throughout San Diego County. Lakeside Fire has sent OES 305 on this assignment with Strike Team Leader Chuck Tockstein (Lakeside). Also from the East County is Heartland Fire and Rescue's OES 292. Other San Diego County agencies involved are San Diego Fire and Rescue, Rancho Santa Fe, and Poway.

These engines have a short wheel base and exceptional ground clearance which allows them to navigate the roadways in rural settings.

Like the other strike team this is likely a long deployment that can be as long as 14 days.

9/17/14: OES Strike Team 6840A has reached the Placerville Fairgrounds. They will soon receive orders and deploy to their assigned work location.

Firefighter Todd Welch captured this image of the pyrocumulus cloud above the King Fire. The image was taken near Sacramento near Highway 99/ 

 9/18/14: OES Strike Team 6840A has been assigned to the "West Structure Group". They will be establishing defensive positions on structures that are within the threat-zone.

We will update information about the strike teams as information is received.

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District 

Lakeside Fire District Open House

Lakeside, CA - 

The Lakeside Fire District open house is Saturday, September 27, 2014. Hosted by the Lakeside Fire Fighters' Association in conjunction with the fire district, this annual event always draws a big crowd.

There will be station tours, a vehicle rescue demonstration, apparatus displays, and a fun jump for the kids. We will also be selling hot dogs, nachos, and cold beverages. Please try to make some time to come and join us and see what your fire district has to offer.

It will be at Lakeside Fire Station 3 at 14008 Highway 8 Business, El Cajon, CA 92021. The hours are 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

For a map, CLICK HERE.

Posted by: Captain Scott Culkin, Lakeside Fire District

Central Zone Strike Teams on the Move Again

Lakeside, CA -

Having just returned from the Lodge Lightning Complex Fire on August 16, 2014, the Central Zone received a request to start a brush strike team northward towards the Junction Fire. The Junction Fire was located in the steep terrain just outside of the community of Mariposa, CA.

Assigned to the strike team were units from Lakeside, Santee, Alpine, Viejas, and Sycuan. The Strike Team Leader is Chief Kremensky from Barona, assisted by Acting Division Chief John Hisaw from Lakeside.

The team started the trip north on the morning of August 19, but as the team arrived in Fresno they received orders that they were being diverted to the Way Fire in Kern County. While in the Fresno area the strike team came across an injury accident on Highway 41. Crews treated the injured while awaiting the arrival of Fresno Fire.

Three hours after receiving the new orders, the crews arrived at the Way Fire incident base camp.

The Way Fire is a 3,000 acre fire burning next to Lake Isabella. The strike team has been assigned to Division A.

Strike Team 6440C at the Way Fire base camp.

Way Fire from local web cams in the Sierra range.

8/20: Central Zone Strike Team 6440C has been assigned to Division A on the Way Fire. The crew was working around properties that had been affected by the fire. This is an essential job to make sure that there is no further property loss. (Photos By: Firefighter-Paramedic David Csik)

Fire damage to a property on Division A.

Firefighter-Paramedic David Csik mops-up on a property affected by the fire.

The crews were then assigned to a 6000' hose lay to reinforce control lines. They are working in locations so remote that supplies are being delivered by helicopter.

Lakeside Brush One working high above Lake Isabella.

Members of Strike Team 6440C punching in a 6000' hose lay.

Crew members replenish supplies flown in by helicopters. 

Vehicle Fire Spreads to Vegetation on Hwy 67

Lakeside:

Firefighters in Lakeside were called out on Monday August 18, 2014 to reports of a fully involved vehicle fire on Highway 67 near Scripps Poway Parkway.  The dispatch location falls near the border of three fire districts, so units from Lakeside, Cal Fire, and Poway Fire were dispatched.

Cal Fire Engine 3388 arrived just before Lakeside Engine 2 and reported a fully involved vehicle fire that was spreading into the vegetation.  Crews from the Cal Fire Engine and Lakeside Engine 2 split their efforts, using one hose line out to address the vehicle fire and one hose line to address the vegetation fire.  The fire in the vegetation was quickly stopped and held to under 1/4 of an acre.  The vehicle fire was also extinguished, but the car was a complete loss.

The incident, which occurred during the evening commute, caused quite a bit of traffic on HWY 67.  CHP assisted the Fire crews on scene by making what is usually a four line highway into a 2 lane highway.  This assistance gave firefighters enough space to address the two fires safely.

View 2014 Incident Map in a larger map

  Story and Photos by Captain Bernie Molloy

Lakeside Brush 1 Returns from NorCal

Lakeside, CA - 

 After a two-week deployment to the Lodge Lightning Complex fire in Mendocino County, Lakeside Brush 1 returned home on the evening of August 16, 2014. Brush 1 was dispatched on August 2 as part of a type-3 engine strike team from San Diego County's Central Zone pursuant to a resource request through California's Fire Mutual Aid System. Consisting of five type 3 (brush) engines and a leader (chief officer), strike teams are among the most commonly used firefighting resource for wildland fires.

In addition to the Lakeside brush engine, Strike Team 6440C consisted of engines from Santee (Br4), Barona (Br27), Viejas (Br25), and Alpine (Br17). The 15 firefighters were led by Division Chief Brad Rushing (Div4702) from the Alpine Fire District.

The Lodge Lightning Complex is a series of lightning-caused fires in heavy timber along Highway 101 in Northern California. The fires started on July 30 and have burned more than 12,000 acres.

Brush 1 crew back home after two-week deployment. From left, FF-PM Josh Raczka, Captain Ian Lowe, Engineer Steve Schleif.

Post and photo by: Captain Scott Culkin, Lakeside Fire District