KIRKWOOD FIRE ACTIVITY SUMMARY - FS 41

SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES - E-41:

1. Size Up
   1. Requested 10 additional triples and all available helicopters with water drop capability.
   2. Helispot to be set up at FS 108.
   3. Recommended to Battalion 5 that additional companies be dispatched to Grandview in Kirkwood Bowl.

2. E-41 responded to Hillside & Kings. Rd.
   1. Protected exposed structures at Hillside and Kings Way.
   2. Extended lines up West flank of fire to provide Drive off Queens Rd. to protect homes.
   3. 2nd line followed West flank of fire and eventually reached home at end of Magnolia. This line was completed by TF 102.
   4. At approximately 1700 hrs., E-41s crew (less Engineer) manned Booster Tank 82 and was directed by Batt 18 to check the 1600 block of Marmont for hot spots. At approximately 2000 hrs., E-41 re-grouped with Pump-41 and was relieved to return to staging.

OPERATIONS THAT WORKED WELL:

1. Line placed up towards Queens Rd. provided protection for several homes.
2. 2nd line stopped the West flank of the fire from extending to Queens Rd. and provided other companies with lines to extend up towards Magnolia.
3. The use of Booster Tank enabled E-41 to be mobile, using our manpower to pick up hot spots in the Marmont area and still provide pumping capability for other crews working up the West flank of the fire.

OPERATIONS THAT DIDN'T WORK WELL:

1. Because of the rapid spread of the fire it was difficult to determine where to respond to even though the dispatch was to Kings Rd. and Hillside. Since E-41 knows the terrain involved, it may have been an advantage for us to respond directly to Kirkwood Bowl and up to Grandview at the outset of the fire.
2. Communications at times were difficult. As a first in company, we did not know what Division we were assigned to until late in the fire.

USE OF THE CL 215 (Super Scooper Fixed Wing Air Craft)

The Use of the CL 215 had varied degrees of success. When flying over ridges and making water drops, they were quite successful.
When making water drops on slopes, the water broke up and had limited effect in halting the progress of the fire.

______________________________
William A. Burnidge, Captain I
Fire Station 41 B Platoon