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09/05/2009: "House Saved By OFD"

(Julie Remington photo)
The skills of Orcas Island Fire Rescue were challenged by another Wildland fire Friday on Orcas. At approximately 2:00p.m. multiple reports were received at the Sheriff’s 911 dispatch center -including one from an airplane- reporting a fire at multiple different locations.

According to Captain, Max Jones, just back from fighting Wildland fires in Eastern Washington, “Calls came in for a structure fire, with locations as far apart as Turtleback and Mt. Woolard.”

After forty minutes the location, turned out to be north of Killebrew Lake on Markov Lane. By the time the first units arrived, the fire was burning within one foot of the Markov home.

"On our arrival, there were heavy smoke and flames around the structure", reported Deer Harbor Lt. Paul Turner. ‘We were able to knock it down before the house caught fire. But it was close. Aggressive fire tactics, supported by a portable water supply, saved this home.’

Twenty-four firefighters from all over the island fought the blaze and were able to get it controlled it in less than 2-hours. A constant water supply was established by using both of the District¹s 2600-gallon vacuum water tenders to supply the Deer Harbor Brush Truck and Eastsound's Structural Engine. Water from Orcas Landing and Killebrew Lake kept water on the fire. Moving water and equipment forward to the fire had to be coordinated by radio due to the narrow and steep driveway.

Firefighters worked until after dark, "mopping-up" about an acre surrounding the home. A concerned neighbor contacted the owners, who had just left that morning for the mainland. Rick Markov called dispatch, spoke with Deputy Fire Marshal Paul Turner and was advised that the fire could continue to pop up over several days due to the nature of the fuels and predicted weather.

The Orcas Fire & Rescue Auxiliary responded as well to support the firefighters, many of which were wearing the heavier structural turn-outs rather than light-weight Wildland gear.

The fire department will continue to check the fire over then next few days to insure it is completely out.

Crew: A few of the 24 firefighters: (Left to right) Dave Halloran, Rick Anda, Jeff Jones, James Scheib, (kneeling) Dwight Gus, Steve Siler and Julie Remington.

Also on scene: Owen Cheever, Dean Dougherty, Cameron Fralick, John Howard, Maxx Jones, Chad Kimple, Jeff Larsen, Jason Madeiros, Kevin McCoy, Mark O¹Neill, George Schermerhorn, Jim Schuh, Paul Turner, Dylan Wachtel and Seth Ybarra.