The Bellingham Fire Department is hosting two option virtual informational meetings about becoming a BFD Firefighter and the recruitment process.
These sessions will be hosted via Zoom. Visit the Fire Department’s Facebook page here –> https://www.facebook.com/bellinghamfire which are posted on their site.
Wednesday, March 16, 2022, 1730 hours.
Saturday, March 19, 2022, 0900 hours PT
To learn more about this Fire Department, please visit their website here –> website at https://cob.org/gov/dept/fire
About the City of Bellingham, Washington
The City of Bellingham is located on the shores of Bellingham Bay with majestic Mount Baker in perfect view. They are approximately 21 miles from the Canadian border, 90 miles from Seattle, and about 52 miles from Vancouver, BC. The City is home to 90,620 residents and more when those are there to work/play/visit this beautiful area. It has been listed as one of the Top 100 places to live (2018), the best place to live in the West, Top 13 safest Cities for cyclists, and in the Top 20 college towns in America. Those are amazing accomplishments!
The Bellingham Fire Department serves the communities within the Bellingham city limits, Marietta, Lummi Reservation for Fire, and EMS calls. The Department receives about 56.78 calls daily on an average basis so it is a very busy Department.
Five out of six new KME Type 1 Fire engines will be joining the San Bernardino County Fire fleet soon, says the SBC’s Assistant Chief, Dave Corbin who proudly displayed all six engines on his social media channels.
Final inspections on 6 new Type 1 Engines at KME in PA this week coming to BDC! My Engineer skills are clearly a little rusty 😂 pic.twitter.com/eXkBR1Y1mT
Assistant Chief of Division 5, Dave Corbin along with others visited the PA KME facility during the week of March 11th.
Credit — Dave Corbin, SBC Asst Chief
We cannot wait until they are brought home and installed in various stations.
This is a developing story. Check back for more updates. Please join us on our Social Media channels, Twitter and Facebook @nwfireblog, and on our Instagram page.
Incident Summary — A wildfire named the HILL FIRE is burning in the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge. Fire resources were dispatched via the Modoc Interagency Communication Center on Saturday around 1237 hours PT for a Smoke Check.
Current Status — This is considered a prescribed fire and is burning within its containment lines. No further updates have been released by Fire Officials as they are not treating this as an out-of-control wildfire but as a prescribed fire.
Size Up — Currently, the controlled fire has burned 600 acres of grass.
A wildfire is burning on Airport Road and East Line Street, east of Bishop (Inyo County), California,
The fire ignited from an unknown cause on Wednesday, February 16, 2022, around 1240 hours PT.
Credit: CAL FIRE BDU
CURRENT FIRE STATUS
The fire is currently holding at 4,136 acres and crews have successfully increased to a 50% containment status. Our last report on Thursday stated crews had reached a 20% containment status. This is a great improvement by ground and aviation resources.
Today, firefighters are mopping up and reinforcing containment lines throughout the day and night in preparation for anticipated future weather changes that could impact fire behavior.
Resources have decreased as containment increases. At the time of this post, CAL FIRE states there are 51 engines, 8 water tenders, 3 helicopters, 16 hand crews, 7 dozers, 48 overhead personnel, and 680 total personnel. All aircraft have been released from this incident.
No injuries to firefighters or civilians have been reported.
INCIDENT COMMAND
Unified Command with CAL FIRE BDU and the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office.
INCIDENT COOPERATORS
Incident Cooperators include Bishop FPD, Independence FPD, Lone Pine FPD, Cal Trans District 9, Big Pine FD, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), Inyo National Forest Service, Inyo County Emergency Response, and Administrators, BLM, Mono County FD, Mammoth Lakes Fire, CDD and CHP.
CLOSURES
The only road closure that remains is on Warm Springs Road, east of Hwy 395.
A wildfire is burning on Airport Road and East Line Street, east of Bishop (Inyo County), California,
The fire ignited from an unknown cause on Wednesday, February 16, 2022.
Credit: CAL FIRE BDU
CURRENT FIRE STATUS
The fire has burned approximately 4,136 acres and crews have successfully gained a 20% containment status. At this time, the forward rate of progress has been stopped just north of Hwy 168.
Firefighters will continue constructing containment lines and mop-up operations on the north end of the fire.
EVACUATIONS
All evacuation orders have been lifted.
RESOURCES
CAL FIRE BDU: 690 personnel along with 63 engines, seven water tenders, three helicopters, 16 hand crews, seven dozers, 34 overhead personnel, six fixed-wing tankers, and one air attack.
MAMMOTH LAKES FD
USFS – INYO NATIONAL FOREST
LA COUNTY FD: One Camp Crew Strike Team. They specialize in fireline construction using hand tools. They are saying this can be easily a potential two-week deployment.
RED CROSS CALIFORNIA: Bishop Senior Center. 506 Park Avenue, Bishop, CA.
INCIDENT COMMAND
Unified Command with CAL FIRE BDU and the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office.
INCIDENT COOPERATORS
Incident Cooperators include Bishop FPD, Independence FPD, Lone Pine FPD, Cal Trans District 9, Big Pine FD, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), Inyo National Forest Service, Inyo County Emergency Response, and Administrators, BLM, Mono County FD, Mammoth Lakes Fire, CDD and CHP.
CLOSURES
The only road closure that remains is on Warm Springs Road, east of Hwy 395.
A wildfire is burning on Airport Road and East Line Street, east of Bishop (Inyo County), California,
This is in the Warm Springs area.
The fire ignited from an unknown cause on Wednesday, February 16, 2022.
Credit: CAL FIRE SB/Inyo/Mono Unit
FIRE BEHAVIOR
Fire behavior continued to remain active overnight and burning to the south.
Credit: CAL FIRE SB/Inyo/Mono Unit
CURRENT FIRE STATUS
As of 0738 hours PT on Thursday morning, the fire had scorched 2,800 acres of land.
A newly updated figure has been released by the Mammoth Lakes FD via the CAL FIRE team with an extreme fire behavior showing in several fire images they have taken over the course of the fire incident.
As of 1000 hours PT today, the fire has grown to 3,900 acres and still has a 0% containment status.
Fire behavior appears to be very extreme with wind-driven runs and spotting.
Fire Officials with the CAL FIRE agency expect containment to be around February 24, 2022.
FIRE MONITORING
Caltech was closely monitoring the incident and remains in close contact with the personnel on-site.
“As of 1100 hours PT, personnel was reporting a perimeter had been established around buildings and the main threat to these structures had passed. Assessments of instrumentation and antennas in the field surrounding the main facility structures are ongoing.” – Caltech
According to Caltech’s website, The Owens Valley Radio Observatory (OVRO) is one of the largest university-operated radio observatories in the world. It is dedicated to research in radio astronomy and astrophysics, the training of the next generation of radio astronomers, the development of cutting-edge radio instrumentation. It is operated by the Astronomy Department at Caltech. They call it “Big Ears”, the observatory located in Bishop, about 250 miles north of Los Angels on the east side of the Sierra Nevada.
Credit: CAL FIRE SB/Inyo/Mono Unit
EVACUATIONS
Big Pine east of Hwy 395, White Mountain Research Center, and Owens Valley (Caltech) Radio Observatory.
RESOURCES
CAL FIRE BDU: 432 personnel along with 66 engines, seven water tenders, one helicopter, 16 hand crews, seven dozers, 36 overhead personnel, six fixed-wing tankers, and one air attack.
MAMMOTH LAKES FD
Credit: Mammoth Lakes FD
USFS – INYO NATIONAL FOREST
LA COUNTY FD: One Camp Crew Strike Team. They specialize in fireline construction using hand tools. They are saying this can be easily a potential two-week deployment.
RED CROSS CALIFORNIA: Bishop Senior Center. 506 Park Avenue, Bishop, CA.
INCIDENT COMMAND
Unified Command with CAL FIRE BDU and the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office.
INCIDENT COOPERATORS
Incident Cooperators include Bishop FPD, Independence FPD, Lone Pine FPD, Cal Trans District 9, Big Pine FD, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), Inyo National Forest Service, Inyo County Emergency Response, and Administrators, BLM, Mono County FD, Mammoth Lakes Fire, CDD and CHP.
Credit: CAL FIRE SB/Inyo/Mono Unit
CLOSURES
Road Closures:
Warm Springs Rd east of Hwy 395
Hwy 168 east of Hwy 395.
168/Death Valley Road.
Stewart at the canal
Barrel at the canal
WRAP UP
Has been designated as one of the State’s largest wildfire of the year, so far
ABOUT INYO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
Inyo County has a 10,227 square mile area with about 19,016 residents, which is located in the eastern central part of California. It is also located between the Sierra Nevada mountains and the state of Nevada.
14-18: Hawaii Fire Chiefs Association. 2022 Annual Conference. Big Island of Hawaii. More info to come. Source: HFCA. They haven’t had an in-person conference since 2019 and are really looking forward to seeing everyone in 2022. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hawaiifirechiefsassociation/
Do you have an event upcoming and wish to have it posted on our site? Give us a shout by sending us the details to nwfireblog@yahoo.com. We will be happy to help broadcast and advertise your conference information.
A wildfire designated as the AIRPORT FIRE is burning to the southeast of Bishop (Inyo County) and east of Hwy 395 in the Owens Valley area in California which ignited today from an unknown cause. Officials are currently investigating for a cause of determination.
Credit: CAL FIRE BDU
Fire Behavior
1656 PT: Fire reported to have jumped the Owens River and is in multiple spots.
Size Up
1645 PT: FIRIS Intel states fire is approximately 2,156 acres.
1647 PT: 2,150 acres, 0% contained per scanner feed via Intel 12. 1,500 acres via CAL FIRE BDU.
Evacuations in Progress
1657 PT: Inyo Sheriff Deputies are currently assisting with Big Pine evacuations on the reservation.
Structure Threat
A structure threat to Owens Valley Radio Observatory and the UC White Mountain Research Center. Evacuations are in effect for those in the area, where structures are currently being threatened. (1519 PT).
Evacuation Shelters
1656 PT: Bishop Senior Center. 506 Park Avenue, Bishop.
Aviation Assets
1616 PT: Tankers 73 and 86 back to Hemet. Unable to load and return due to visibility.
1701 PT: AA330 assumed command for aviation resources. Current aircraft includes T85, T88, T90, T100.
1715 PT: 5 Air Tankers approved for Thursday’s Fire operations.
1722 PT: 5 Air Tankers are approved for Thursday at 0700 hours PT.
Incident Command
Lead Fire Agency is CAL FIRE BDU is in Unified Command with the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office.
Incident Cooperators
Incident Cooperators include Bishop FPD, Independence FPD, Lone Pine FPD, Cal Trans District 9, Big Pine FD, LADWP, Inyo County Emergency Response, and Administrators.
Closures
Roads: East Line Street, Airport Road, Poleta Road, Warm Springs Road, and Collins Road.
A wildfire designated as the AIRPORT FIRE is burning to the southeast of Bishop (Inyo County) and east of Hwy 395 in California which ignited today from an unknown cause. Officials are currently investigating for a cause determination.
Credit: CAL FIRE – View from the Marzano Peak fire cam
Location
Some weather forecasters are now stating the fire is burning on the backside of the southern Sierras, located in a valley which is basically a wind tunnel, and brings attention to those in the Bishop area to be aware of their surroundings.
This is burning near the airport, hence, the name AIRPORT FIRE.
Credit: Inyo County SO
Fire Behavior
At the early stages of the fire, it had burned 50 acres with a dangerous-critical rate of spread with 20-plus wind speeds.
Credit: CAL FIRE BDU
Size Up
1430 hours PT: the fire has been said to have burned well over 100 acres with a potential of up to 1,000. The fire appears to have established itself on both sides of Owens River near Warm Springs Road and is very active. Fire is also spotting in several places.
1527 hours PT (Official from CAL FIRE Page). 1,000 acres with a 0% containment status. Fire behavior has a dangerous rate of spread at this time.
Evacuations in Progress
Already the fire has progressed since we have started covering this fire with it now at 1,000 acres.
Ranches may be moving cattle in the area, so Officials are asking folks to be cautious and aware, allowing for fire vehicles and stock trailers to have full leeway.
Big Pine FD, Inyo County Emergency response, and admin are in action making preparations in the event of further evacuations are needed as the fire continues to move south along the Owens River.
Structure Threat
A structure threat to Owens Valley Radio Observatory and the UC White Mountain Research Center. Evacuations are in effect for those in the area, where structures are currently being threatened. (1519 PT).
Evacuation Shelters
Tri-County Fairgrounds are open per the Inyo County 4th District Supervisor’s Facebook page for anyone who needs a place to go.
Credit: CAL FIRE BDU
Aviation Assets
Current aircraft assigned on this incident are Air Tankers 73, 86, 88, 100 with two additional on order from Texas.
IC trying to get two S-2’s staffed at McLellan.
OCFA FIRIS Intel 12 is en route to the fire ground now.
Incident Command
Lead Fire Agency is CAL FIRE BDU is in Unified Command with the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office.
Incident Cooperators
Incident Cooperators including Inyo County Sheriff and Cal Trans District 9, along with Big Pine FD, Inyo County Emergency Response, and Administrators.
Credit: CAL FIRE
Closures
Roads: East Line Street, Airport Road, Poleta Road, Warm Springs Road, and Collins Road.
Through the Eyes of Social Media
CHP CAD: Fire about 300 feet from the Collins Road area, fire is still moving rapidly. (1500 PT)
Some reports of the IC stating the current acres burned from 1,330 to 1,335 to Officials stating at 1,000 acres (CAL FIRE).
Thank you for visiting our page about events, happenings and fire news from fire departments across the United States (USA). This is the news for Monday, January 31, 2021.
North County Fire / EMS – Arlington/Stanwood (WA): Two engines with this agency painted up their apparatus showing their school spirit. Check them out here or if you live/work/play/visit these areas, don’t forget to show your spirit for these great schools!
Credit: NCFE
Stockton Fire Department (CA): On 1/31/2022, at 0445 PT, their Emergency Communications Division received a 9-1-1 call for a dumpster fire in the area of Washington and Aurora Streets.
Credit: SFD
E2 arrived on the scene and a short time later found a dumpster fire impinging on a structure. As firefighters were extinguishing the fire, gunshots were heard, and the Fire Captain of Engine 2 had been struck. Firefighters quickly transitioned to providing EMS care and transported him to the hospital.
Capt. Fortuna, 47, a 21-year veteran unfortunately has succumbed to his injuries and leaves behind a wife and two grown children.
UPDATE | A 67-year old suspect has been detained in connection with the shooting.
Please keep him, his family, loved ones, friends and his communities in your prayers and thoughts. – Ed.
(c) 2022 NW Fire Blog – Published 1/31/2022, 2035 PT
NW Fire Blog 
You must be logged in to post a comment.