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From the Shelter Cove Volunteer Fire Department:

SHELTER COVE, CA — At approximately 1542 hours today, the Shelter Cove Fire Department received a walk-in report at the fire station from a local citizen who had observed a large column of smoke north of the community of Shelter Cove in the Kings Range.

Shelter Cove Fire Department on-call Duty Officers immediately responded in a Type 6 quick attack engine to investigate. As crews traveled up West Rancho Road, they observed a large column of black and white smoke coming from the area described by the reporting party.

Recognizing the potential for a rapidly expanding wildland fire with structures threatened, the Duty Officer immediately requested a full wildland fire response from CAL FIRE along with a structure fire response from Shelter Cove Fire Department.

The initial response included two chief officers, 10 fire engines, five CAL FIRE engines, five local government engines, two water tenders, two hand crews, two dozers, two helicopters, three air tankers, and an air attack aircraft.

Shelter Cove Fire Department Duty Officers were the first fire resources to arrive and found a residential structure partially involved in fire, an outbuilding fully involved, and approximately one-quarter acre of vegetation burning adjacent to the structures.

Crews immediately initiated structure protection operations while additional resources were responding. Shelter Cove firefighters were able to protect and save the primary residence while CAL FIRE aviation resources worked to slow the vegetation fire with retardant drops.

As additional CAL FIRE, local government engines, and hand crews arrived, firefighters quickly established hose lines and handline around the vegetation fire, containing the fire and preventing further spread. Due to the rapid progress made by the initial attack crews, additional incoming resources were cancelled.

The fire was ultimately contained to approximately 0.4 acres. One outbuilding was lost, while the primary residence sustained minor damage.

Fortunately, favorable weather conditions and the rapid, coordinated response of multiple fire agencies helped prevent what could have been a much larger incident and significantly greater property loss.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The Shelter Cove Fire Department would like to thank all of our mutual aid partners who responded, including CAL FIRE, Briceland Fire, Whale Gulch Fire, and Telegraph Ridge Fire.

A special thank you goes to the local family who took the time to stop at the Shelter Cove Fire Station and report the smoke. Their quick action gave firefighters a critical head start in locating the fire and initiating the response before the fire had a chance to grow.

This incident is another important reminder that early reporting is critical in our rural, high fire hazard environment. If you see smoke or fire and are unsure whether it has been reported, call 911. Early notification can make a significant difference in the outcome of a fire.

Stay safe.
SCFD

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