Interesting Fire Department stuff.

[Aktungbby]

Originally Posted by Catfish

This looks a bit too close for comfort .. I hope all goes well and the fire be put out soon.
All the best!

Thanks. As per my boat captain on his way to meet the boat-rigger for a full day's rerigging and stay chainplates; the fire is now 75% contained and the Cal Fire chief who lives directly across the street from me has been out all night on this one. He's now generally in charge of radio-communications between all fire agency's coordination on these affairs and is a master at what he does. I was just there myself enroute to a job a week ago; Dry Creek RD/Trinity Rd. is a 1hr. 35-mph, winding 1 lane-bridged, deer & bicyclist-infested but less traffic'd route to Santa Rosa when I'm summoned...and the paid return-trip ends directly at my front doorway-I've been driving it for 25 years and it tests the ol' skills in a five-speed Corolla. Occasionally, in shorthanded traffic related emergencies: downed trees, stupid eighteen-wheelers etc.; even I've been pressed into impromptu service up there as cell phones do not operate. Dense manzanita underbrush and pine is thick and burns explosively; the weather (foggy/cool up there) is still really holding well for us.

Local fire forces assembled to fight the blaze, including 12 engines, about 180 firefighters, three water tenders, six air tankers, four helicopters and three bulldozers, according to Cal Fire staff at the St. Helena station.

Smoke was visible from downtown Napa.

Despite a slowing in the fire’s rate of spread, Dry Creek Road was closed near the incident scene, and the county Office of Emergency Services advised drivers to avoid the area.

EDIT: 8 AM : evacutions have been lifted.

[fireftr18]

Acktung, I saw this in the trade magazines and was wondering about you. I'm glad you posted with the information. Glad you're still okay.

[fireftr18]

Forest fire in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
The fire has been going on for several weeks now. It has now reached the town of Gatlinburg. For those who dont' know, Gatlinburg is a tourist town. It started as a "gateway" to the Smoky Mountains National Park. Many people go there not just for the tourist activities, but also a starting point for back country hiking and camping.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=3&theater

[fireftr18]

Here is a citizen video from my fire department. Lexington's bravest in action.
The kid did not set the fire. It was an accidental fire.

[August]

Originally Posted by fireftr18

Here is a citizen video from my fire department. Lexington's bravest in action.
The kid did not set the fire. It was an accidental fire.

The guys filming that were seriously drunk!

[ikalugin]

Some fires are harder to fight that others:

munitions storage burning

[Commander Wallace]

It can't be easy dealing with fires and emergency situations like that on a regular basis fireftr . I'm glad though that we have people like you ready to answer the call.

[Platapus]

When a man becomes a fireman his greatest act of bravery has been accomplished. What he does after that is all in the line of work. ~Edward F. Croker

[fireftr18]

ikalugin, nice compilation. I love the look on the newsman's face. Thanks for posting.
That's one of those where you don't even bother. Evacuate and let it burn itself out.
I think I read something about this. Was it in Kamchatka?

[ikalugin]

Originally Posted by fireftr18

ikalugin, nice compilation. I love the look on the newsman's face. Thanks for posting.
That's one of those where you don't even bother. Evacuate and let it burn itself out.
I think I read something about this. Was it in Kamchatka?

There are special firefighting means, such as this vehicle:


Ukraine, recently. It was blamed on us (ofcourse) but I think it is more due to the old munitions and poor storage. One lit sigarette is all it takes.

We don't really get those anymore because we have dealt with the old munitions. The added benefit incidentally was tens of thousands freed up manpower (from warehouse security and munitions disposal duties), which was then placed to good use.

[fireftr18]

Originally Posted by ikalugin

There are special firefighting means, such as this vehicle:

I've seen pictures of many of the Russian specialty vehicles. Great re-use concept. Using the hulls of old tanks for extremely large volume applications and for wildland fire.

Ukraine, recently. It was blamed on us (ofcourse) but I think it is more due to the old munitions and poor storage. One lit sigarette is all it takes.

We don't really get those anymore because we have dealt with the old munitions.

My fire department is set to respond first to new munition storage and old munition storage. The new is constantly in and out and is in well protected building. The old is kept in old bunkers, leaks constantly and is constantly monitored. It's a serious concern.

The added benefit incidentally was tens of thousands freed up manpower (from warehouse security and munitions disposal duties), which was then placed to good use.

[ikalugin]

For that specific storage area it was basically an ammo dump, exposed to the elements, etc. No bunkers/proper warehouses. You can see photos from 2013, not much has changed since:

 

More here:
http://totalitat.livejournal.com/1541.html

[fireftr18]

Originally Posted by ikalugin

For that specific storage area it was basically an ammo dump, exposed to the elements, etc. No bunkers/proper warehouses. You can see photos from 2013, not much has changed since:

 

More here:
http://totalitat.livejournal.com/1541.html

Who in their right mind would think that was okay. Clearly, it wasn't. They don't have to worry about it now. Do you know any estimates from damage, aside from the base itself?

[ikalugin]

Originally Posted by fireftr18

Who in their right mind would think that was okay. Clearly, it wasn't. They don't have to worry about it now. Do you know any estimates from damage, aside from the base itself?

No, but I can look for it, and this form of storage is common. It however requires vigilant control, especially in terms of fire prevention when say dry grass is very prone to combusting in the summer.

Such control apparently was not there due to the base being understaffed and poor discipline. And considering how 87 percent of their planned mil budget is to be spent on salaries I dont see the material conditions improving. And thank god that there was no major chem weps leakage during and after the fire.

[Eichhörnchen]

Hildenborough (Kent) Fire Brigade, 1923. My mother's family all came from Hildenborough (near Tonbridge, my home town) and she was 2 years old when this was taken.