This incident quickly became a fast moving and highly dynamic one which was responding to extremely dry fuels, wind and terrain. It quickly moved into residential areas burning structures and forcing the evacuation of entire communities. By the evening of the first burn period, shortly after the initial attack of the incident, it was apparent the fire had a high likelihood of impacting the station. The structure defense plan for the site was put into play. Approximately 12 hours prior, there was a planning meeting where the plan was discussed and agreed upon. The facilities were located on a large cleared area, and the buildings were of concrete construction with metal roofs. The fuels around the station consisted of cured grass, 10-30- year old chaparral with scattered timber and oak. Defensible Space Hazard Fuels reduction had been completed around the station. (the station was burned through in the 1989 Divide fire).
The plan included the removal of all personnel not required to participate in the structure protection. The stay and defend plan included trigger points and a firing plan. These resources which would remain consisted of two Type 3 engine crews and a small squad of hotshots to complete the firing operation around the structures. All personnel were briefed well in advance of the fire impacting this location and had buy-in with the plan.
When the fire reached the trigger point to start defensive firing the decision was made to hold off due to ongoing evacuations of civilians in an area to the east of the station. By the time the all clear was given the approaching fire was too close for the burn-out to be successful. Due to excessive smoke including acrid smoke from the burning structures down canyon, several of the personnel entered into the fire station structure for approximately 15 minutes to get into clean air. No shelters were deployed. |
