Virginia Firefighters Knock Steep Incline Brush Fire

Dispatch crackled over the airwaves, "Engine 11, Brush 11 respond to Shoremeade and Melody Road for a possible brush fire."

"Engine 11 enroute," came a quick reply.

The call was dispatched around 1030 hours for Shoremeade and Melody roads, but the fire was not at the location the caller stated. Engine 11 did a quick search of the area to locate the fire.

Engine 11 discovered the fire behind a resident's home on Melody Road and up a steep incline, the report stated brush and trees on fire.

Brush 11 was not available, so Wagstaff Volunteer Brush 10 was dispatched.

Engine 11 was staged at the bottom of the driveway of the residence. In front of the engine loomed a deep reservoir,behind the engine it was all uphill. Wagstaff staged on scene by entering the fireground from the backside and ontop the hill from an adjoining road, this area was not accessable by the engine.

Dragging fire hose up the hill was a challenge.

Career and volunteer joined in together for the firefight. Engine 11 laid 5-inch quick connect supply line and stretched several handlines. Wagstaff ran handlines from the brush truck. Together the team accomplished a quick knock down. Overhaul was performed and the area was then foamed to extinquish hotspots and prevent flareups.

All exposures were protected and no injuries were reported. A utility pole sustained some fire damage in the blaze.

The cause is under investigation.