Hay Fire

August 30, 2007
By: Asst. Hoseman Rick Franks

In the early morning hours of August 30th 2007, the Avondale Fire Company was alerted to a hay fire at the corner of Ellicott Rd and Starr Rd. Chief 23 arrived on scene and confirmed the working hay fire. Making an attempt to slow the fire down and save as much property as possible, handlines were deployed and additional man power and tankers were called to the scene. The handlines remained in service while loaders were used to remove unburned hay from the pile. After saving as much hay as possible, Chief Mike Decker made the decision to shut the handlines down and let the rest of the hay burn off. In order to put the fire out an endless amount of water would have been used creating harmful water run off into nearby creeks. Not to mention the amount of man hours needed to put the fire out would be greater than the hours needed to let it burn itself out. All units were released and in the afternoon hours the company returned with the tanker and hoselines to protect nearby exposures that were getting hot. The tanker remained until 0700 hrs the next morning. Thanks to all companies that came out to the scene for their help and a job well done. Also great thanks to all the standby companies who covered our station for the long hours.

Avondale Units- Engines 1, 2, & 3, Tanker 23, Squad 23, Ambulance 23, and Traffic 23

bulance 23,
Mutual Aid- Medic 94-2, NGPD, Blitterdorf's Towing.