Around 6pm Tuesday evening, Engine 1 was dispatched to a smoke investigation in the area of Olive Chapel Road and Kelly Road. Prior to their arrival the telecommunicator notified the crew that they were receiving multiple 911 calls. One of our officers checked on-scene POV and reported a working woods fire with heavy fire condition. Brush 5, Tanker 8, Engine 3, Car 1 and Car 4 responded, and shortly afterward more personnel arrived in Car 6. Due to the large area and the quick spread of the fire, Engine 1 laid a 5" supply line across Olive Chapel Road. Brush 5 headed off the blaze on the west side, while Tanker 8 controlled the east side. Because of the extremely dry conditions this pine forest was like a tinder box, and flames had begun to reach the tree tops and threaten nearby structures. Crews acted swiftly and brought the fire under control before it could damage any surrounding properties.

Click the thumbnails to view a larger photo

Photography by Thomas Babb

We JUST put some brand new Pro/paks (portable foam units) in service this week, and they came in handy at this incident where it was impossible to get our apparatus into the woods.	Dry pine needles posed a serious threat.	Firefighters test out the medium expansion nozzle on the new Pro/pak.	A quick and easy switch to the low expansion nozzle for more reach into the woods.