Santa Barbara County, CA, Dec. 16, 2017—Members of the U.S. Forest Service Mad River Hot Shot Crew from Six River National Forest work from a dozer-cut safety zone as a massive wall of flame threatens the ridge top of Santa Ynez Mountain above Montecito in Santa Barbara County. More than 8,500 firefighters from many states battled the Thomas Fire, which began on Dec. 4, 2017, in Ventura County and has become the largest fire to ever burn in December. The fire has burned more than 271,000 acres, destroyed 1,032 structures, assigned 1,018 engines, and cost the life of one firefighter (32-year-old CAL FIRE Engineer Cory D. Iverson) and one civilian.

Photo by Keith Cullom

Fitchburg, MA, Dec. 2, 2017—A late-night fire in this vacant three-story dwelling came in shortly before midnight. Companies were dispatched for a report of a building fire. When the deputy located the building in the heavy smoke, the fire was venting and the second and then third alarms were struck. Mutual aid from Leominster, Lunenburg and Westminster responded to the fire.

Photo by Scott LaPrade

Wilson Borough, PA, Dec. 10, 2017—The Wilson Borough Fire Department responded to a dwelling fire, and upon approach found fire already burning through the roof and extending into buildings on either side of the main fire building. A mutual-aid response was requested from the City of Easton and Palmer Municipal Fire Department. Further staffing was requested from West Easton Borough and Williams Township. It took firefighters nearly 90 minutes to get the upper hand on the fire, which ultimately destroyed the 2½-story home and heavily damaged the adjacent buildings.

Photo by Thomas Kohler

Stamford, CT, Dec. 12, 2017— Crews initially pulled a 1¾-inch attack line to make a quick knock on a garage fire; however, they were soon stopped from going close to the building due to numerous large, pressurized cylinders that were leaking next to the building entryway. For firefighters’ safety, command switched to a defensive attack and firefighters pulled a 2½-line to knock down the heavy, persistent volume of fire that was concentrated in one room of the building. The fire was knocked down in an hour.   

Photo by Jon Tenca