FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE

National Weather Service, Las Vegas, NV

535 AM PDT TUE MAY 31 2011

Another pacific storm will move to just off the northern California coast by late tonight and then inland on Wednesday. This will result in a dry southwest flow aloft with increasing southerly surface winds.

Western portions of the area will experience windy conditions today with those conditions likely spreading eastward Wednesday. Low relative humidity values are also expected during this time frame and the potential combination of gusty winds, low afternoon relative humidity and dry fuels will likely create hazardous fire conditions. 

A fire weather watch remains in effect from Wednesday morning through Wednesday evening. A fire weather watch means that critical fire weather conditions are possible.

Wrong-way Driver

Sunday evening was anything but routine for Golden Valley Firefighters.  While returning from an emergency medical call in the Sohi area, the four person crew in Attack-115 encountered a wrong-way driver in a Toyota Forerunner traveling Northbound in the Southbound lanes of Hwy-93.  Golden Valley Firefighter / Paramedic Jimmy Childers who was driving took evasive maneuvers and Acting Captain Duane Dunn activated the overhead red/blue lights and reported the incident to law enforcement officials.  The driver and front seat passenger both jumped from the still moving vehicle and ran into the hills in the Sohi area.  Firefighters reported the incident to DPS who was already looking for the vehicle along with MCSO deputies.  DPS arrived moments later and began a foot search of the area and shortly thereafter discovered two additional occupants inside the backseat area of the Toyota that came to rest in the roadway.  Fire Chief Tom O’Donohue said how proud he was of the crew that evening for not only avoiding a head-on collision with the fire apparatus, but for stopping this vehicle from colliding with other vehicles that would have encountered the wrong way vehicle, including a cluster of motorcycles that came up just a minute later. O’Donohue said: “If the firefighters hadn’t acted in such a professional manner to the incident, the outcome could have deadly for many innocent people”.  DPS took two persons into custody that were still in the vehicle and continued their foot search with the aid of the Ranger helicopter.

Hwy-68 & Colorado Accident

Golden Valley Firefighter-Paramedics treat three patients from this accident at Hwy-68 and Colorado Road Wednesday afternoon. Acting Captain Dunn and Firefighter Boss can be seen making preparations for extrication. The driver of the vehicle struck on the passenger side refused transport to the hospital, however the two occupants of the vehicle with the front end damaged were both transported to KRMC by River Medical. DPS officers closed a single eastbound lane to protect the safety of firefighters as they extricated the driver before transporting him to the hospital. The accident only closed one eastbound lane for about 30-minutes.

GOLDEN VALLEY FIRE DISTRICT RELAXES FIRE RESTRICTIONS

Fire Chief Thomas O’Donohue from the Golden Valley Fire District announced today that he will be relaxing the fire restrictions that did not allow the use of charcoal briquettes during the recent “Red Flag Warning” issued by the National Weather Service. Red Flag Warnings are announced when the potential for extreme fires are present. Low humidity and high winds precipitate such warnings according to O’Donohue. In lieu of restrictions, the Fire District will embark on an education campaign warning of the hazards associated with charcoal briquettes. Curt Hardy, Board Chairman said the District wants Golden Valley Citizens to enjoy the upcoming holiday weekend with fire safety in mind. While the Fire District maintains the right to restrict recreational type fires within the District, O’Donohue said he wants to apply reasonableness regarding restrictions and education as a prevention tool for the community. For those who are careless and start fires, there is always the civil liability for starting a fire that damages homes or property that can turn a holiday weekend into a disaster for all involved. For any questions regarding fire restrictions, call Station-11 at 565-3479 or visit them on the web at www.gvfdaz.com.

Blaze Destroys Home

Golden Valley Firefighters responded to a structure fire at 5001 Elgin Road at 2:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon. Initial reports from the resident indicated a person might have been trapped inside, which proved unfounded after an aggressive rescue effort by firefighters.

Captain David Martin reports a total of five apparatus and ten firefighters helped extinguish the fire. Fire Marshal Randy Osborn and two GVFD Fire Investigators determined the cause to be a faulty electrical circuit. Initial damage estimates to home and contents were placed at $80,000.

Golden Valley Fire Department reminds everyone of the importance of working smoke detectors and an exit plan that the entire family is familiar with.

GVFD Paramedic Academy

Students from the Golden Valley Paramedic Academy practice their intubation skills on a training mannequin under the supervision of Emergency Room Physician, Dr. Brian Scott. This hands-on class is part of the nine month, 1100 hour class. Captain David Martin said Golden Valley Fire expects to gain five more paramedics for a total of 15 paramedics at Golden Valley Fire after the final National Registry examination.  The 24 students came from local fire departments that sponsored this training opportunity.  Students pay $3,500 for the class which is instructed by Golden Valley Paramedics John Molitor and Rob Arnold.