Bring Them Home | Hundreds Search for Firefighters Lost at Sea | 1

August 21, 2019 / NW Fire Blog (TM)

Information for this article was gleaned from multiple sources from government, private and public sectors published over Social Media. Information is posted to the best of my abilities.

Quote of the Day | Day after day, ordinary people become heroes through extraordinary and selfless actions to help their neighbors. – Sylvia Mathews Burwell

We ask a few things from our readers – to be respectful and nice towards this post and towards those including the family, friends and their communities that are hugely impacted by their disappearance and waiting impatiently for any updates from Officials. For us, please send and keep them in your good thoughts and prayers. This will mean a lot to us and to them as well.

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Thank you to all of the Incident Cooperators (sorry we if did not mention you!) and their partners, civilians, Good Samaritans, Command personnel, Supporters and everyone else in between who is searching for Justin and Brian. This is what we are all about – helping each other. – This is why one of the reasons we are big fans of the Fire Service and the Family that binds it together. Blogger LR Swenson/NW Fire Blog

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INCIDENT SUMMARY

Two great friends whom are both avid boaters decided to take a boat out for a last run on Friday, August 16th morning for fishing and relaxation. When off-duty firefighters, JFRD Engineer Brian McCluney (US Navy Vet) and Justin Walker, Fairfax FD (VA) did not return as scheduled, they were reported to authorities as overdue.

Photo Credit: JAX Firefighters

Firefighters Brian McCluney and Justin Walker.

A massive search would gear up and be spearheaded by one of the biggest Search-and-Rescue agencies, which specializes in missing and stranded boaters that the Federal Agency has in this nation. This large-scale SAR mission has all the main players including a massive civilian force and they are all pulling out every single resources to find these missing firefighters to #BringThemHome.

Here is their story told through various updates, eyewitness accounts and from Social Media sources.

INCIDENT TIMELINE

Day 1 | August 16 | Friday

0107 hours EDT

Two boaters, Justin and Brian are seen on the boat ramp’s camera, placing the 22-foot Robalo boat into the water were reportedly heading to the 8A Reef. The boat was given to him from his father, whom had just passed.

Credit | USCG

Day 2 | August 17 | Saturday

They are reported overdue as they never came back as scheduled on this date.

1009 hours EDT

The US Coast Guard begins to search for missing two firefighters. They were last seen leaving the 300 Christopher Columbus boat ramp in Port Canaveral Friday in a 24-foot center console. Their destination was to head towards 8A reef. This reef is a fishing spot and is an artificial or natural reef that attracts fish to the area.

Eyewitness Account | “We fished out of the port today and we saw a rescue plane circling for about two hours. The current was ripping about 8-12 knots around noon.”

A family reported to the Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville on this date would prompt a USCG to launch a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium from Station Canaveral, an HC-130 Hercules search plane from the Air Station Clearwater and an 87-foot patrol boat called the Cutter Ridley. Additional incident cooperators included the US Navy and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.

Day 3 | August 18 | Sunday

MEDIA REPORT | DC Patrick Gouin from Brian’s station says 7/50 JFRD JAX Firefighters are from his shift. Other Firefighters from nearby areas are staffing stations while Brian’s fellow brothers search for him.

0415 Hours EDT

The USCG with Incident Cooperators will be searching through the night with surface and air resources. The search throughout the day has covered 20,029 square miles with an estimated 70 hours of active searches.

Photo Credit: USCG

0733 Hours EDT

Searchers focus near the Gulf Stream. Good Samaritans are searching 1-15 miels off the coast from south Georgia to Port Canaveral. Estimated search is 5,000 miles.

0744 Hours EDT

There are 2 USCG 87-foot patrol boats, 2 small boats and 1 HC-130 search plane. Incident Cooperators include My FWC, JSO PIO, CBP Florida, Brevard County Sheriffs Office and about 15 Good Sam vessels.

Day 4 | August 19 | Monday

0852 hours EDT

They started at 0800 hours with 36 boats, 135+ people, 3 airplanes to search 5,000 square miles from St. Augustine to Brunswick and from the beach to 60 miles out from shore.

Customs Border and Protection Bureau (CPB) air and marine assets are assisting the USCG Southeast Command in working to locate two missing firefighters who disappeared on Friday, August 16, 2019.

Here are some of the aircraft deployed on this SAR mission | All photo credit goes to CBP Florida.

The CBP states they deployed a P-3 Orion Long Range Tracker crew, two Multi-Role Enforcement aircraft on board an Interim Midnight Express to assist with the search.

“There are a lot of people working to find them and praying for their safety. We are launching crews and assets with advanced maritime search capability in coordination with @USCGSoutheast to try to find them.”
—Jacksonville Director of Air and Marine Operations Jesse Wozniak pic.twitter.com/R6zv8i11eL

— CBP Florida (@CBPFlorida) August 19, 2019

Day 5 | August 20 | Tuesday

0452 hours EDT

The searchers have covered 24,000 miles and continue to search. Crews are searching at Port Canaveral area up to north of City of Jacksonville, as well as 80 miles off-shore.

0536 hours EDT

Put a call out for help….and they answer! Let’s find these two guys now! #humanity #faith #bringthemhome #teamwork @CityofJax @ffxfirerescue pic.twitter.com/XoorO8obdR

— MyJFRD (@JFRDJAX) August 20, 2019

0725 hours EDT

🇺🇸TEAMS OF TEAMS.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations aircrews✈️ continuing to search with Department of Homeland Security @DHSgov partners @USCGSoutheast for Florida firefighters missing after fishing trip.https://t.co/lUKg7yeuhT pic.twitter.com/01UHBD2oGV

— CBP Florida (@CBPFlorida) August 20, 2019

1430 hours EDT

PRESSER | We will be moving our efforts north tomorrow…boats that can run 60+ miles out of Mayport..boats that can run 30-60 miles out of Brunswick and Savannah..if you want to go out of Brunswick/Savannah call Chief Barrow tonight 904-813-5315 for boats and volunteers call 904-763-9747. – My JFRD (@JFRDJAX)

1609 hours EDT

USCG will start searching through the night. The search has covered 69,000 square miles with an estimated 182 hours of searches. They will partner with crews searching from the skies and on the surface.

We started early as the sun broke today gridding our the area and giving assignments…we will do it again tomorrow at 7am from Mayport boat ramp. – JFRD JAX

Photo Credit: @JFRDJAX

Day 6 | August 21 | Wednesday

0700 hours EDT

Volunteers who have boats capable of searching between 30-60 miles offshore safely will be meeting at Mayport boat ramp at 7 am. Bring your binoculars and SAT phone if you have them. If you don’t have a boat and want to help, you can help out by donating to JFRD.com

How to Help

https://clear-give.com/egive3/index.cfm?page=donationDetail&itemID=305533&LocID=261001&refresh=true

#BringThemHome #MissingFirefighters

The Wildfire Log | Arizona | August 18, 2019

August 18, 2019 / NW Fire Blog (TM)

Here is the Fire Activity log for the State of Arizona, which seems to be seeing a lot of wildfires this year and very dry conditions.

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Boulin Fire | E of Spring Valley near The Beale Wagon Trail | 2,423 acres

The Boulin Fire was sparked by lightning on August 5, 2019. The fire is also located near Forest Service Roads 141, 713 and 730 and about 24 miles northwest of Flagstaff, Arizona.

Credit: KNF

Fire behavior is moderate with increased acreage of 400 on a daily basis. It has now carried through over half of the planning area is moving towards the southwest containment line. Road maintenance continues.

Credit: KNF

Fire is being managed by Nick Behrends (ICT4) and his trainee, Tyler Richwine (ICT4T). Resources include: One Type 2 hand crew, one Fuels crew, two Type-6 engines, two Type 3 Engines, one patrol unit, one Dozer and eight miscellaneous overhead team members. Total personnel assigned to this incident is 50 strong.

Cost-to-date in fire suppression and containment expenses have reached $70,000.

Castle Fire | near Jacob Lake | 19,368 acres

No photo description available.

The Castle Fire was ignited by lightning on July 12th around 1430 hours. It is located in the vicinity of Oquer Canyon and about six miles west of State Hwy 67, as well as, 11 miles south of of Jacob Lake on the Kaibab National Forest.

There has been about 19,368 acres of timber (litter and understory) burned. Fire Management Officials are expecting this fire to be fully contained on October 15, 2019. The fire did become more active on Saturday due to hot, dry weather partnering with winy conditions. There is no precip in the current forecast.

Four firefighters walk past an engine in a line carrying a variety of tools.

Credit: KNF

There are 32 total fire personnel attached to this incident. Fire management is being handled by Brandon Allen.

A TFR (temporary flight restriction) is in effect for all non-fire aircraft, including drones.

Ikes Fire | Grand Canyon NP | 4,297 acres | 55% contained

The Ikes Fire is located in the Grand Canyon National Park and about 60 miles southwest of Paige.

Sheridan Fire | Wood Trap near Cedar Mesa | 3,700 acres

The Sheridan Fire was ignited by lightning on August 5th. Fire fuels include short grass, brush and chaparral. Fire behavior is active, running, flanking and backing. Short runs in grass and brush are also occurring.

This fire is being allowed to run on its own for resources benefits.

The Sheridan Fire | Credit-Prescott NF

There are 64 total personnel assigned. IC is Rob Roy Williams with the AZ Central West Zone, Type 3 IMT. His trainee is John Johanson.

Wolf Creek Fire | Wolf Creek Road, #7 | NEW

The Wolf Creek Fire was caused by an abandoned campfire on Wolf Creek Road in space number seven. This is listed as an open incident. There is an unknown number of area scorched or other resources. This is located on the Prescott National Forest.

The Wildland Report | Shell Fire | 1

August 18, 2019 / NW Fire Blog (TM)

COWLITZ COUNTY, Wash. | A wildfire has ignited on 4 Corners in Cowlitz County, Washington on this Sunday, August 18, 2019.

A WA DNR Engine 278 has been deployed to this fire location. It has been reported that .1 acre of grass, brush and reproduction timber has been scorched. The original dispatch time was at 1115 hours PDT.

Limited information available, so we will provide additional updates as info is received.

The Wildfire Log | Reservation Field Fire | 2

August 18, 2019 / NW Fire Blog (TM)

STEVENS COUNTY, Wash. | A wildfire has broken out in the 4700 block of Reservation Road and off of Johnny Walker Way in Stevens County.WA DNR resources, along with local partners were dispatched on Sunday at 1038 hours PDT.

Incident Cooperators

Resources include: AA 4TS AR 29 AR 445 AR 446 AR 447 AR 450 AR 61 C 6201 E Zone 10 FB 207 FB 210 arrived on-scene around 1114 hours PDT. Additional partners include the Stevens County Fire District #1, Spokane Tribe and the Stevens County Sheriff’s Office.

Evacuations

Level 1 (Get Ready) evacuations are listed as notifications only. However, you should be prepared just in case you are asked to evacuate.

No word if the notices have been lifted or are still in effect.

Size Up

Acreage has increased to an estimation of 20 acres and crews have mostly stopped the forward progression of the fire.

Cause

Fire spread in to wildland interface from a structure fire. Fire crews believed the structure was an abandoned single-wide trailer.

No actual cause has been determined by Investigators.

Damages

No word on total damages to property or fire suppression and containment costs-to-date.

The Wildfire Log | Justine Lake Fire | 1

August 18, 2019 / NW Fire Blog (TM)

SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. | A spot fire has been detected on Hatch Road in Spokane County. This is listed as an open incident and limited information has been received.

Call logged into the CAD system at 1235 hours PDT.

We will update if more details are received.

The Wildfire Log | Reservation Field Fire | 1

August 18, 2019 / NW Fire Blog (TM)

Incident Cooperators

Evacuations

Level 1 (Get Ready) evacuation notices have been issued for those that reside in the following areas:

Reservation Road
Johnny Walker Way
Sanctuary Way
South Cemetery Road

Size Up

A total of 10 acres has been burned. There is no containment at this time.

Cause

The cause is unknown at this time.

The Wildfire Log | Texas | August 18, 2019

August 18, 2019 / NW Fire Blog (TM)

The State of Texas has been receiving their fair share of wildfires. Here is the activity for Sunday, August 18, 2019. This list also includes those that have been on-going incidents.

*All of these wildfires are burning on private lands owned by the Texas A&M Forest Service.

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FIRE FACT | The Texas A&M Forest Service has opened the Austin Air Tanker Base to assist with increased wildfire activity.

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Bird Ranch Fire | Cottle County | 2,000 acres | 30% contained

The Bird Ranch Fire is located in Cottle County and has all resources being dispatched via Northwest Dispatch Center. It was reported on August 17th at 2250 hours.

*Caverns Road Fire | 75 miles S of San Angelo | 2,409 acres | 70% contained

The Caverns Road Fire managers are reporting active fire behavior and structures threatened. Fire fuels include brush and short grass. The fire was reported on August 15, 2019, at 1824 hours.

Caverns Road Fire | Credit – Texas A&M Forest Service

There are 36 personnel along with four engines and one helicopter.

Cost-to-date are unknown for this privately burning wildfire.

*Copper Break Fire | 8 miles NW of Crowell | 5,000 acres | 20% contained

This fire is burning just northwest of Crowell with fire behavior as being extreme with wind-driven runs.

Copper Break Fire | Credit – Texas A&M Forest Service

There are 36 total personnel along with two engines and one helicopter working on the fire line. Fire fuels include brush and tall grass.

There is an unknown cost-to-date expenses.

*Green Juniper Fire | 14 miles S of Claude | 300 acres | 95% contained

The Green Juniper Fire is burning on Texas A&M Forest Service lands, about 14 miles south of Claude. Update | Fire has been fully (100%) contained.

There have a total of 10 fire personnel. No other resources are working this fire, burning on private land.

Fire behavior has been reported as moderate. Fire fuels include brush and short grass.

Cost-to-date expenses are unknown.

*Henderson Robertson Fire | 16 miles SW of Ozona | 328.5 acres | 85% contained

The Henderson Robertson Fire incident has 18 total personnel, down from five yesterday and one engine. It was reported to Dispatch on August 16, 2019, at 1447 hours.

Fire fuels include brush and short grass. Fire behavior is reported as moderate.

This incident is in Crockett County.

*Henson Fire | 18 miles NW of Hamlin | 313 acres | 95% contained

The Henson Fire is also burning on private land owned and managed by the Texas A&M Forest Service. Fire fuels include brush and short grass.

Fire behavior is reported as moderate. There are 14 fire personnel assigned along with one engine.

No cost-to-date expenses are known due to this being on private lands.

Credit – Texas A&M Forest Service

The Wildfire Log | Idaho | August 18, 2019

August 18, 2019 / NW Fire Blog (TM)

Here is the SitRep for Wildfire activity on Sunday, August 18, 2019 for the State of Idaho.

14 new wildfires started in the last 24 hours in the Great Basin area which include States ID, NV and UT. – NIFC

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New Wildfire(s)

Hell Roaring Creek, Custer | 0% containment

Crews were sent out on a smoke check at 1218 hours MDT. Shortly after, a wildfire was reported to their Dispatch and additional resources were deployed through the South Central Idaho Interagency Dispatch Center at 1232 hours MDT to the Hell Roaring Creek area in Custer. Due to this being the newest fire, there is limited information showing up in CAD.

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Cove Creek Fire | 27 miles NW of Salmon | 4,444 acres | 65% containment

The Cove Creek Fire is burning in the Salmon – Challis National Forest owned by the US Forest Service in Idaho. Fire fuels include timber and tall grass. Fire behavior is said to be minimal with creeping, backing and with wind-driven runs.

There are 38 total personnel along with one crew, two engines and one helicopter on the front lines.

Cost-to-date expenses have reached an all time high of $4 Million Dollars.

Nethker Fire | 30 miles NE of McCall | 2,354 acres | 91% containment

The Nethker Fire is currently burning in the Payette National Forest and managed/owned by the US National Forest. Command has been transferred back to the local unit from the GB Team 3, an IMT Type 2 team.

Fire behavior has been reported as moderate with smoldering, creeping and isolated torching. Fire fuels include timber and closed timber litter.

There are approximately 559 total personnel still assigned to this fire, along with 15 crews, eight engines and five helicopters.

Cost-to-date is $10.2 Million Dollars. All structures were saved by firefighters. No were reportedly damaged, injuries to firefighters or to civilians.

Quartz Fire | NW of Quartzburg | 1.3 acres

The Quartz Fire started on Saturday, August 17, 2019. It is located about one mile northwest of Quartzburg and burning in elevations of 5,200 to 5,400 feet. Fire resources and assets were dispatched through the Boise Interagency Dispatch Center at 1717 hours. 1.3 acres of grass, brush and ponderosa pine have been destroyed on BLM lands. Estimated time to contain the fire is expected to be today sometime.

Quick Egress Saves Seattle Home on Saturday Night

August 17, 2019August 17, 2019 / NW Fire Blog (TM)

North Seattle, Washington | A kitchen fire ignited in a home located in the 9000 block of 8th Avenue NE in the Maple Leaf neighborhood near Green Lake on Saturday evening.

The house fire prompted Seattle Fire units A25, AIR10, B4, B6, DEP1, E16, E17, E21, E22, E31, L5, L8, L9, M17, M44, MAR5, REHAB1, SAFT2 and STAF10 dispatched at 2127 hours PDT.

Due to the immediate egress by firefighters, which was about ten minutes on the incident timer – they brought the fire quickly under control then tapped it shortly thereafter.

The home is currently not for sale is said to be worth around $800,000. Seattle Fire’s Investigator (Mar5) had arrived on-scene. There was no known cause at the time of this post or a preliminary amount of cost to the structure.

There were no injuries to firefighters and the Fire Department confirmed there were no occupants home at the time the fire broke out

The Wildfire Log | California | August 16, 2019

August 16, 2019 / NW Fire Blog (TM)

Due to the large number of large incidents burning across the United States, we will be breaking down wildfires burning in each State separately. We may miss one or a few but we promise, we will get caught up as we glean information from various verified sources.

Border 8 Fire | 1,500 acres | 60% contained

The Border 8 Fire is in the City of Tecate, southeast of San Deigo in Mexico County. The cause of this wildfire is unknown and under investigation. Currently, they are in Unified Command with CAL Fire and Mexican Fire Agency Consulate Emergency Services FD. At this time, the fire is threatening the City of Tecate, Mexico.

Border 9 Fire | 80 acres | 100% contained

The Border 9 Fire was located off of Marron Valley Road and Border Road, southeast of Dulzura in San Diego County. The fire started on 8/15/2019 at 2:35pm from an unknown cause. Fire agency deployed was with the CAL Fire’s San Diego County FD.

Cottage Fire | 156 acres | 90% contained

The Cottage Fire started on 8/15/2019 @ 1509 hours on Dersch Road and Cottage Hill Drive, northeast of Anderson. The cause, like others are unknown and under investigation for the CAL Fire’s Shasta-Trinity Unit. There are still 8 personnel assigned to this incident.

Gaines Fire | 1,300 acres | 5% contained

The Gaines Fire started on 8/16/2019 from a cause that is unknown and under investigation. It is located in Mt. Gaines Road x Bear Valley Road in Bear Valley (Mariposa County). CAL FIRE’s Madera – Mariposa – Merced Unit firefighters are deployed on this incident.

–> Evacuation Advisory | Bear Valley, Pendola Garden Road and Hwy 49 <–

Hunter Fire | 423 acres | 60% contained

The Hunter Fire is located about 6 miles southwest of Bear Valley in the Merced-Mariposa Unit of CAL Fire’s area. Fire fuels include tall grass. Fire behavior is moderate. There are currently, 77 fire personnel along with 2 crews, 13 engines. Cost-to-date is $250,000.

Mill Fire | 310 acres | 98% contained

The Mill fire is located on USFS land on the Los Padres National Forest and 5 miles east of Lucia. At this time 310 acres of timber, chaparral and tall grass have been consumed.

Mill Fire | Credit: USFS

There are still 25 fire personnel assigned with 1 engine. Cost-to-date in suppression and containment expenses have reached $5.1 Million Dollars.

Moose Fire | 225 acres | 95% contained

The Moose fire started on 8/12/2019 @ 1710 hours PDT off of Moose Road and Bus McGall Road NW, northwest of Hopland. The CAL Fire’s Mendocino Unit is the one working this incident.

Patterson Fire | 35 acres | 90% contained

The Patterson Fire started on 8/15/2019, from an unknown cause and is still under investigation. This fire is located on Patterson Drive, south of Placerville in El Dorado County. Fire crews are mopping up hot spots and patrolling throughout the night. Fire Unit: CAL Fire’s Amador-El Dorado Unit. All evacuation orders have been lifted. There are 2 engines and 10 fire personnel attache

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