Vegetation Fire to 5 acres

FIRE & SHERIFF Departments 

Team-up

                                                                                                                             Photos courtesy of Tod Sudmeir, 564 Fire

At 2:00 P.M. Monday, July 13^th, San Bernardino County FIRE Department crews were dispatched to a reported vegetation fire in the area of Waterman Ave and  Vanderbilt Way in San Bernardino.    

ME#231 arrived on-scene within two minutes to find 200’ x 50’ spot in the river bottom. Crews battled the fire with limited access, heavy fuels and 100+ degree temperatures.  A water dropping San Bernardino County Sheriff Helicopter was requested to assist with water dropping and reconnaissance. A water dip site was set up and nearby fire station #231 to minimize turnaround. SBCOFD and SBSO recently trained on dip site and porta-tank operations. Thanks to SBSO for the assistance.  

Despite the high temperature and heavy fuels, the forward rate of spread was stopped at 5 acres. Fire fighters remained on-scene far into the evening working on mop-up and containment lines.  

San Bernardino County FIRE Departments regionalized service model allowed the City of San Bernardino to have continuous service by moving-up SBCoFD Engines to vacant stations. This ensures uninterrupted fire, rescue and EMS service is provided. Once crews achieved knockdown on the fire, the manpower from the hand crews allowed the incident commanders to release engine companies to their respective station.