Briceland Volunteer Fire Department

Our type 3 Wildland Engine 5436 returned July 15th from a four-day mutual aid assignment on the Loomis Fire, one of several lightning sparked fires burning in the high country between the Mt. Shasta and Lassen Volcanoes in Lassen County. Our engine and six of our crew members formed part of Strike Team XHU2075C, with Shelter Cove Fire Chief Nick Pape serving as Strike Team Leader, Engine 5539 from Telegraph Ridge VFD, Engine 6137 from Salmon Creek VFD, Engine 5116 from Shelter Cove Fire and Engine 5836 on it’s first out of county deployment with the Redway Fire Protection District. Redway also provided command vehicle C5800 for this assignment.

The strike team was staffed entirely by local Southern Humboldt fire departments, demonstrating the strength, professionalism, and growing regional cooperation among our volunteer agencies. Working in rugged terrain at approximately 4,800 feet elevation, crews operated in juniper and pine forest, improving containment lines under demanding conditions. During the assignment, the strike team successfully extinguished approximately 1 mile of active fire line, contributing to the continued containment of the Loomis Fire.

We are proud of our firefighters and the outstanding teamwork demonstrated by all of the Southern Humboldt agencies represented on this assignment. Their professionalism, dedication, and ability to work together as a cohesive strike team reflect the high level of training and commitment that exists throughout our local fire service.

Sunday, June 7th 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM 

@ Southern Humboldt Community Park in Garberville.

Hosted by Briceland Volunteer Fire Department with extensive support from neighboring departments and regional partners, the Wildland Readiness Drill brings together volunteer firefighters for one of the largest cooperative wildland refresher events of its kind. The training is designed to strengthen regional wildfire response capabilities by preparing fireline personnel for operational decision-making, coordinated field operations, interoperability, standardized practices, and firefighter safety through realistic, multi-agency training scenarios.

Training modules include progressive hoselay operations, handline construction, equipment and hardware familiarization, fire shelter deployment, and air operations. The exercise emphasizes standardized practices, risk mitigation, and multi-agency coordination essential during large wildfire incidents. Upon completion, participants will receive NWCG RT-130 Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher certification and NWCG S-130 Field Exercise credit.

The event will also showcase regional wildland firefighting capacity, including ten new Type 6 fire engines delivered through California 2nd district Senator McGuire’s Type 6 Engine Project and four additional Type 6 engines funded through Humboldt Co. Measure Z. After many years of being hosted by Briceland VFD, it is projected that Southern Humboldt Fire & Rescue, a newly formed Joint Powers Alliance made up of 13 Southern Humboldt fire departments will become the official host of this annual event after this year.

Expect to see a significant increase in local traffic, numerous fire apparatus including potential aircraft from emergency response agencies in the area for this drill.

Funding for this drill is provided through Humboldt County Measure Z Public Safety/Essential Services, the California State Coastal Conservancy’s Wildfire Resilience Program, and Redwood Region RISE California Jobs First funding, supporting firefighter training, emergency response capacity, workforce development, and regional wildfire resilience.

For registration or additional information please contact; admin@sohumfire.org

We have at long last the newest addition to our fire fighting apparatus; our BRAND NEW Type 6 engine! This marks the first time our department has ever had a new engine and it will soon inherit the E5446 designator from our hard working 2001 Ford 450.

Originally announced by State District 1 Senator Mike McGuire back in August of 2023, $2m in State funding was allocated to purchase 10 new Type 6 engines for volunteer fire departments including Briceland, Garberville, Palo Verde, Telegraph Ridge, and Whitethorn in southern Humboldt as well as Covelo, Laytonville, Leggett, Piercy and Westport in northern Mendocino county.

Local news outlet Kym Kemp covered this story most recently in February when our neighbors in Telegraph Ridge received theirs. Although the grant funding and build out process took quite some time,  it didn’t take long to get a call to action. As C5400 was en route from Oregon with the truck just entering the Briceland Fire District for the first time, an emergency medical situation unfolded and, before ever being stowed away at our Fire Station, it was in service responding code 3.