Santa Barbara County, CA, June 15—The Scherpa Fire burned for more than two weeks, ultimately charring 7,500 acres before it was fully contained. Pushed by strong winds, the fire ignited on the coastal side of the Santa Ynez Mountain Range and forced the closure of Highway 101, one of the major north/south highways, as flames neared the coastline. One building was destroyed in the fire.
Photo by Keith D. Cullom
Duarte, CA, June 28—Los Angeles County Fire Department helicopters took to the skies to help assist fire crews battling the Fish Fire, burning in the San Gabriel Mountains in the Angeles National Forest. The fire burned approximately 5,000 acres.
Photo by Jeff Zimmerman
Los Angeles, June 13—It took 147 Los Angeles firefighters 2.5 hours to extinguish a major emergency fire in a vacant two-story office building. Firefighters used ground ladders to assist several imperiled persons at windows of the burning structure, with LAFD responders entering the building to perform the rescue of three others. Crews were forced to switch to defensive exterior operations 20 minutes into the firefight.
Photo by Mike Meadows
Fort Worth, TX, June 11—Fort Worth firefighters responded just after midnight to this two-alarm house fire in a 10,000-square-foot home in the Mira Vista neighborhood. Fire was through the roof when Engine 39 arrived and after an initial attack, command pulled crews out for a defensive attack by two quints and several handlines. The home was valued at over $2 million and firefighters saved a large art collection.
Photo by Peter Matthews
Orange, NJ, Sept. 16, 2000—Units dispatched to a report of a working fire found a four-story brick office building with commercial occupancies on the first floor. Heavy smoke was venting from windows on multiple floors. A civilian informed Engine 4 of a possible victim trapped in the rear section of the second floor. The man was removed by portable ladder. Conditions deteriorated and all members were ordered from the building, which became fully involved. Seven firefighters suffered minor injuries.
Photo by Bill Tompkins