BLM Assistant Fire Management Officer Donavan Walker reported that the fire, which is still under investigation, appeared to be human caused. The fire was reported at 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday, May 16. It was contained at 8 p.m. the same evening and controlled at 9:15 a.m. May 17. BLM reported the fire out at noon May 21.
It took four BLM engines, two dozers and three aircrafts, along with engines and water tanks from GVFD and IVFD, to put the fire out.
BLM dispatch reported that aircraft dropped 4,500 gallons of fire retardant on the fire.
Grass Valley firefighter Amanda Young said that some members of the GVFD saw the smoke from the fire before the call came in and were already en route to the firehouse when the call came in. GVFD was on scene by 3:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m., Young estimated. She said that eight members of her department responded to the fire call.
"There was some pretty steep and strenuous terrain out there, but we got it out," Young said.
Young was one of only three women on the firefighting scene. Two women from the IVFD responded to the fire also, she said.
"Those two girls are incredibly dedicated. I see them on almost every call that we are both (departments) called out on," Young said.
Much of the fire was fought by hand, hiking up one hill just to fight the fire down the other side of the hill and back up the next hill, Young said.
The GVFD has run on eight to nine fire calls so far in the month of May. This is a high amount of fire calls so early in the season, Young said.
"I have a feeling this is going to be a busy fire season," Young said.
Young voiced some advice for back road explorers and campers.
• Always pack it in and pack it out.
• Check for fire restrictions before going out.
• Use a fire ring for campfires.
• Always have tools to properly put out a fire.
She also cautioned homeowners to make sure they have a defensible space.
"Defensible space is the homeowner's first protection," Young said.
[[In-content Ad]]
