OAKHURST – A fire in Whispering Pines Mobile Home Park this morning may have spread into the surrounding vegetation and nearby homes were it not for the quick response of firefighters.
At about 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 29, a fire was reported in a double-wide mobile home on the lower level of the park located at 41941 Road 222.
Cal Fire Division Chief Don Stein was returning from the French Fire on the Sierra National Forest and responded from just a mile or two away. Upon arrival, Stein observed the home to be about 30% involved, with fire and heavy smoke boiling out of the windows.
The first engine on scene was E-520, a Type 3 engine from Rio Rico, Arizona, that was stationed at Batterson Work Station, just a few miles away. Stein says they showed up ready to go, complete with the necessary breathing apparatus, and along with Cal Fire Engine 4254 out of Bass Lake Station, got the fire knocked down very quickly.
“These guys were ready to go to work, and very professional,” said Stein. “Of course, I expect that from my people, but I was really impressed with this Arizona crew.”
About a half-dozen additional engines arrived on scene, some from outside the area who have been moved in to cover stations as local crews are busy on other fires.
Firefighters were working in very tight quarters between the mobile homes. Not being able to back out and allow other engines to pull in closer to the structure as their water supply was depleted, they did what is known as a “relay” or “shuttle,” pumping water from engines in back up to those in front.
A large tree next to the home was ignited, but crews were able to douse those flames and keep the fire from spreading to the wildlands or neighboring homes.
Though the flames were quickly extinguished, the home suffered extensive fire, water and smoke damage.
No one was reported injured during the incident.
