Committee Drive Fire Burnover 2008

On October 7, 2008, at approximately 1230 hours, the local Fire Department personnel initial-attacked the Committee Drive Fire. Estimated size at initial attack was 5 acres. The Assistant Fire Chief assumed the responsibility of Incident Commander and immediately requested a second engine. Given the fire's forward spread and progression into denser timber, a request was made for four mutual aid engines. Upon their arrival, Engine C was staged for structure protection closer to the origin, while the other three units (engines D, E, and F) were directed to go to the tower site. At approximately 1330 hours, a wind shift occurred, causing the fire to make a run toward the vicinity of three of the mutual aid engines. While trying unsuccessfully to restart the pump for spraying, Engine F’s motor stalled out and could not be restarted. Also during this time, engines D and E were short of water, coupled with extremely dense smoke and approaching flames--causing them to retreat to the tower site. The fire spread to Engine F’s site and started to engulf it. The Fire Department personnel at the scene and engines D and E retreated to a safety zone near the tower site--resulting in no personal injuries, but a total loss of Engine F.

Initial Attack, Entrapment