You may have heard about Defensible Space; the area directly around our home that should be managed to minimize the spread of fire from the wildland to structures. However, wind driven fires can bring blowing embers and falling fire brands that can bypass this protection and directly effect buildings. Home Hardening is key to defending from the intrusion of fire in these dangerous situations.

The Humboldt Co Fire Safe Council has an excellent website for more information and resources to help protect yourself, your family and home from the threats of wildfire;

HCFSC Fire Safety Resources

Home Hardening Retrofit Guide- Tahoe

While the storm winds gusted and the rivers crested, our crew was active and ready to respond to emergency calls for medical distress, trees down, high water hazards, fallen electrical lines, landslides, road slipouts, or, of course, fires!. Briceland Fire was able to provide 24hr staffing of two engines for the 3 day duration of the storm, joining crews from Redway Fire, Shelter Cove Fire Department and Petrolia Volunteer Fire Department in a Cal-OES prepositioning assignment of six engines in Southern Humboldt County.

Having our Type-6 Engine 5446 “saw module” equipped with a wide assortment of chainsaws and hand tools available for this kind of event is especially useful for dealing with trees down and debris on the roads. Our Type-1 Engine 5416 was also specially equipped and ready to respond to vehicle accidents or water rescue calls, which thankfully did not occur.

Thank you to all who help us do what we do, and for staying safe while this storm passed over us!