Monday August 10:54 A.M.____
San
Bernardino County Fire (SBCoFD) crews were dispatched to a reported
vegetation fire in the area of State Route 247 & Lucerne Road in
Lucerne Valley. When crews arrived in the area they found a 3-acre
vegetation fire in light fuels, with difficult access and no structures
threatened. The fire was found to be in San Bernardino Local Responsibility
Area (LRA), adjacent to Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land. BLM crews
also responded due to the threat to their lands and assisted #SBCoFD in
initial firefighting efforts.
The Incident Commander quickly
requested a San Bernardino County
Sheriff Helicopter to assist in suppression, additional type 3 Engines,
a SBCoFD dozer & hand crews. Fire Crews engaged in fire attack, making
access and starting hose lays to contain the fires spread. Due to the steep
terrain, windy conditions & dry grasses the fire continued to spread
throughout the afternoon and into the evening. By nightfall the fire had
spread to more than 450 acres. Crews remained on the scene throughout the
night to monitor the fire, work on containment, suppression and line
construction.
San
Bernardino County Sheriff Department utilized (2) helicopters for their water
dropping capabilities, utilizing portable tanks for a water source. This
asset helped limit the fires spread, provided drops in inaccessible areas
and intelligence on the fire from the sky.
#SBCoFD responded with (1) Type-1
engine, (7) brush engines, (1) bulldozer, (2) hand crews, (5) water
tenders, (3) chief officers, (1) fire investigator, (1) fire mechanic &
a team from our supply warehouse to support the fire. While local fire
crews were committed, other SBCoFD engines were moved into vacant stations
to ensure seamless fire and EMS coverage. SBCoFD warehouse personnel also
provided logistical support, bringing food, water & supplies to the
fire.
As the second operational period
started, (5) Type 3 engines, (4) water tenders & a BLM response were
summoned to work on containment and suppression. Due to both jurisdictions
having land effected, Bureau of Land
Management and San Bernardino
County Fire remained in unified command throughout the day.
Total acreage is 670 acres in San Bernardino Local Responsibility
Area, with 15 acres in Bureau of
Land Management jurisdiction. The cause of the vegetation fire is under
investigation by SBCoFD Office of the Fire Marshall.
No structures were threatened or
damaged. No injuries to firefighters or civilians were reported as well. Fire Crews will continue to monitor the
burn area through the day to watch for hot spots.
THANK YOU, to our partners in
public safety on the assistance. Co-operator
agencies assisted in the initial attack were: Bureau of Land Management,
Cal-Fire, Apple Valley Fire Department, Victorville Fire Department and
Newberry Springs Fire Department. THANK
YOU, to our cooperators for their assistance.
By San Bernardino County Fire Battalion Chief Michael
McClintock
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