Pine-Strawberry Fire District
P.O. Box 441  Pine, Arizona 85544
Phone: (928) 476-4272  Fax: (928) 476-4634
Website: www.pine-strawberryfire.com
Fire Chiefs Report – March 2015
Significant Incidents
Nash Point Crash
Just after noon hour on Thursday, March 5th PSFD crews were dispatched to a report car crash at
approximately mile post 274 on route 87. Crews located a vehicle that had skidded off the road
sideways through the opening between two sets of guard rails (the turn off into Nash Point). Evidence
suggests that when the vehicle reached the brush it started the vehicle roll (at least two). The vehicle
stopped in a position that south bound drivers on 87 could not see the vehicle. Blood was about the
interior but the driver could not be located. The Coconino Sheriff investigators believe the crash
occurred on Tuesday. From a seated position in the average car, the crash site could not be seen by
passing drivers. On Thursday, the driver of a large APS truck, with an elevated seat position, spotted the
vehicle as he was driving southbound.
In that the accident was in Coconino County their search and rescue teams started a search on Thursday
late afternoon southbound on both sides of route 87. The following morning, Tonto Rim Search and
Rescue Squad joined the search. Less than an hour into the search, a search dog team going west on a
forest service road picked up the sent about 200 yards west of the crash site and quickly located the
deceased subject.
Residential Fire – 3420 Lakeview, March 13th
At 0859 Hours, PSFD crews were dispatched to a report of a structure fire at 3420 Lakeview, in Pine. The
fire chiefs was first to arrive and observed a well involve fire in a 50 foot long lean-to style shed. Some
30 feet to the west was a two story residence and gusting winds were blowing the fire towards the
home. The first fire attack hose stream was positioned between the shed and the two-story, rear section
of the home, and water was applied to the side of the house which was now smoking from the heat and
direct flame impingement. Unfortunately, fire had already penetrated the eaves of the roof and entered
the attic. The hose stream continued to operate through windows to try to knockdown fire trying to
penetrate the first floor.
A second fire attack hoseline was taken into the front door of the home and fought the fire trying to
penetrate the first floor section of the home. A third fire attack hoseline was positioned to the west side
exterior of the home and also directed its stream through windows closest to the main building.
The combined efforts of the interior attack and the two hose streams attacking from the exterior
stopped the fire from consuming the larger square footage first floor section of the building. Fire only
slightly penetrated the main building in two locations.
The cell phone pager system was used to recall five off duty firefighters brining to ten PSFD firefighters
on scene. Both PSFD water tenders were brought to the scene. Mutual aid was request and Payson
responded with an Engine crew and water tender. A total of three water tenders were on scene
delivering 7,000 gallons of water to the fire fight. There was never an interruption in water supply.
Tender 411 did depart the scene for one refill. The Payson fire chief also responded and was assigned
the duty of supervising firefighters operating in the interior of the home. Our volunteer rehab unit also
responded and provided fluids and food. One medical call occurred in late morning and on scene
firefighter paramedics responded. PSFD crews cleared the scene at approximately 1600 hours. The PSFD
fire marshal, in conjunction with a Gila County Sheriff’s Office investigator, is conducting an investigation
into the cause.
In that the rear two story section of the house was completely destroyed and it was unsafe for
firefighters to enter and extinguish the remaining fire, a backhoe was used to take down the walls and
remove the debris away from the home. This allowed crews to completely extinguish a very large
amount of burning debris.
Tax revenues will increase by 3 percent for the Fire District. While that might be considered modest it is
the first uptick in revenues since 2010. The 3 percent may seem modest but it is that is better than most
other fire districts. At the March meeting of the Arizona Fire District Association Board of Directors
meeting, it appears that a large number of fire districts in the state actually saw reductions in their
assessments. It should also be noted that the assessment process is an 18 month look backwards and
note on the current economy.
New fire hydrants are scheduled to be installed. The PSFD water supply officer, firefighter Tommy
Cordova reports three new fire hydrants are planned for the future. One will be installed at the south
east corner of the Pine Elementary School track field. A second on Randal near the Library and the third
at route 87 north of Uncle Tom’s
Legislative Issues
There are a number of Bills moving through the legislature that may have an impact on fire districts that
the Arizona Fire District Association (AFDA) have initiated and others that may have a negative impact
on Districts that the AFDA and the fire chief area monitoring.
The region again suffered a second cellular and internet outages due to a disruption in a CenturyLink
cable in a 72 day period. The Fire Chief again sent letters to CenturyLink and Version expressing great
concern for lack of a backup, redundancy system. According to communication engineers, what’s lacking
for Gila County, but common in other CenturyLink service areas, is an “optic fiber ring” which is routing
service from two different directions – rather than the single, dead cable that exists for the region. The
switch to backup would be instantaneous. In addition to loss of Version cellular service and the typical
internet service the disruption also negatively affect regionally commerce. Banks closed their doors and
businesses couldn’t process credit and debit cards.
For the Pine-Strawberry Fire District this problem is a significant public safety issue. Without cellular
service, residents of the District cannot report emergencies, some of which could be life threatening
during a medical emergency. The Fire Chief has also contacted the Gila County Board of Supervisors, the
Governor’s Office, and Congressman Gosar seeking assistance in causing CenturyLink to install a “ring”
as soon as possible.
Letter to the Gila County Boards of Supervisors from the Fire District Board requesting a waiver on
dump fees for the brush pickup program was sent the day after the February Fire Board meeting.
Following the mailing we received an inquiry from Gila County to the fire chief as to whether PSFD
would be willing to conduct burn offs of accumulated brush at the dump pit from time-to-time as
needed. The fire chief has since submitted a letter that PSFD is willing to do so.
The Letter to the Gila County Board of Supervisor regarding Prince Road has resulted in some progress.
The County is now conducting an engineering study on water drainage and, following that will move to
design an upgrade for the road. Until the proper drainage system is completed, the County has made
some temporary repair the pot holes.
The District Fire Marshal has worked with Pine Elementary School officials, in conjunction with the Gila
County Sheriff’s Office, to design facility security system for the school. In addition, the Fire Marshal is
conducting a mapping assessment of addresses to insure they match what the County has.
The annual wildland firefighting academy at Emery Riddle Collage occurred March 7th – 13th. The fire
chief and three other members of the Department attended to get new certifications. PSFD firefighter
paramedic Hunter Scott responded to a medical emergency when a female member of his class
collapsed in the classroom and was transported to a hospital.
The pump on Engine 413 failed its pump test and was found to have a deteriorated shaft and corrosion
in the impellers. This Engine is a primary revenue generator when PSFD responds to wildland fires
requested by state or federal agencies. With the approaching wildland season, the pump has been
replaced and is ready for service. At present, PSFD is at the number one position in the state for call out.
A complete engine repalacement is needed for the 2008 Ford ambulance related to a significant engine
failure when the engine blew out a fuel injector causing other parts of the engine to be heavily
damaged. It will take two-three weeks to complete the installation of a new engine.