05/03/2009: "Orcas Fire Busy Of Late"

It was a very busy 13 days for Orcas Island Fire & Rescue! April 10 through 23, as they responded to: 1 road hazard, 1 electrical fire, 2 alarm activations, 3 outdoor burning investigations and 2 illegal burning issues, plus 2 public assists, 16 Medical emergencies, 4 Trauma and 2 Patient assists all of which resulted in 2 Basic Life Support Transports by Orcas Fire & Rescue, 1 off-island transport by San Juan Air Ambulance and 4 via AirLift NW.

They also responded to a report of a missing person, transported a generator to a patient and made 4 Carbon Monoxide checks during the power outage on Thursday the 23rd. That is a total of 39 responses or 3 a day! Keep in mind the responders also had 3 nights of training plus two full Saturdays of new recruit training.

Reminder: All outdoor debris burning in San Juan County requires a permit. A residential permit covers one 10-foot by 10-foot maximum burn pile. Anything larger or for multiple burn piles, you are required to purchase a commercial permit. Residential burning permits on Orcas are now available at the Eastsound Fire Station Tuesday through Friday from 9 am to 3 pm and cost only $10. For more information on outdoor burning and burn permits go to www.orcasfire.org.