Structure Fire - 10/18/11 - Bayfield, CO

On October 18th, 2011 at 14:16 hours Upper Pine Fire District units were dispatched to a report of a structure fire at 74 Eckart Lane in the Sierra Verde subdivision. The subdivision is located in the Lemon Reservoir area of fire district. Additional water tenders from the Los Pinos Fire District and the Durango Fire Rescue Authority were simultaneously dispatched under an automatic aid agreement. As Deputy Chief Randy Larson went on-scene, he reported heavy fire showing from a two-story single family dwelling.

Due to these conditions, a defensive fire attack was initiated. Two 2½“ lines were eventually stretched to work the well-involved structure. A water shuttle operation was put in place to supply the suppression operation with water being drafted from the reservoir. These efforts resulted in the bulk of the fire being knocked down. The fire continued to burn in a number of void spaces within the home and required additional hand lines to be deployed to bring the fire under control.

Because of structural stability issues, all fire extinguishment and overhaul efforts were conducted from the exterior of the building. The local Red Cross Chapter was requested to respond to assist the home owners in the start of their recovery efforts. Two Upper Pine firefighters were transported to Mercy Regional Medical Center in Durango for medical evaluation, and both have been released from the hospital.