Briceland Volunteer Fire Department

On August 14th, Briceland Engine 5446 with a three person crew joined our first “Foxtrot” Strike Team; 2075F – bound for the MP18 Fire in Hoopa Valley. Type 6 engines are smaller, highly maneuverable fire engines designed for quick response and operations in areas where larger apparatus may have difficulty accessing. Their agility makes them particularly valuable for wildland fire operations and remote terrain. The team was composed of engines from Briceland, Whitethorn, Telegraph Ridge, Palo Verde, and Mendocino, led by Chief Chris Emmons from Arcata Fire. This was the first major out-of-district assignments for both Whitethorn and Palo Verde Volunteer Fire Departments, a major milestone in the development of Southern Humboldt Fire and Rescue.

Our team would end up working alongside Task Force “2075 Charlie” with Type 3 engines from Shelter Cove, Salmon Creek, Anderson Valley and a Water Tender from Redway Fire Protection District. With so many local volunteer firefighters and resources assigned outside the area, maintaining emergency coverage at home became an important priority. To ensure our communities continued to have a local response capability, an additional “Westside” coverage was established and staffed in 12-hour shifts by firefighters from Briceland, Whitethorn, and Telegraph Ridge Volunteer Fire Departments.

This summer has been a good example of how mutual aid works at the local level. Our volunteer departments are willing to send firefighters and equipment wherever they are needed, but just as importantly, neighboring departments work together to make sure that when our people are away helping others, our own communities remain protected.

Thanks go out to all local supporters of our Southern Humboldt departments. Special Thank You to District 1 Senator Mike McGuire for his efforts to bring the California State funding 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.

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 5839 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.