Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Situation Report: Possible Vehicle Fire

On Dec 26th, at 11:50 AM, High Rolls Fire was dispatched for a possible vehicle fire on Highway 82 near Bailey Canyon. Units responded but were unable to locate any vehicle in distress.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Situation Report: Update - Pine Stump Mall Fire

The fire at the Pine Stump Mall was declared under control this afternoon around 2pm. The firefighters managed to stop the spread, but several historic buildings were lost in the fight. One injury was sustained by the responding firefighters, and one civililian was transported to GCRMC due to smoke. The cause has not been released.

Situation Report: Mutual Aid with Cloudcroft Fire Department on Major Structure Fire

At 4:30am this morning, Cloudcroft Fire was dispatched for a report of a fire in the Downtown Mall on Burro Street. The first arriving units found a well involved fire, which quickly progressed to a major incident requiring outside aid in order to prevent the loss of most of the Downtown District. Mutual Aid support was requested from surrounding departements including James Canyon, High Rolls, Upper Cox Canyon, Dungan FD, and many other Otero County Fire Organizations. This incident has not been terminated as these departments continue their fight to save what remains of this historical building dating from the 19th Century. High Rolls Fire and EMS currently has units and personnel operating on scene, performing firefighting and EMS operations.

Photo from Alamogordo Daily News.

Monday, December 6, 2010

Situation Report: Brush Fire on Highway 82 Near Dry Canyon

At 4:45 pm, High Rolls Fire was dispatched to respond to a brush-fire on Highway 82 across from the Dry Canyon turnoff. Arriving units found a small area of brush along the highway on fire, being fought by passers-by with shovels. The fire was extinguished, and the area was wet-down by the fire department.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Situation Report: Rollover East of Highway 82 Tunnel

High Rolls Fire and EMS was dispatched for a report of a single vehicle rollover 1/4 mile East of the Highway Tunnel on Highway 82, near the Scenic Overlook. Upon arrival, crews found a pick-up truck resting upon it's roof, with both lanes blocked. The occupants were helped out and treated by medical crews, with one patient being transported to GRMC with minor injuries. The highway was blocked for at least 1 hour, as recovery personnel  up-righted the car and cleared the roadway. Units from the High Rolls Main Station and the Pineywoods Substation responded to this call, along with AMR medical personnel.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Situation Report: Structure Fire near Trout Farm on Highway 82

At 6:10 pm, High Rolls Fire was dispatched for a report of a barn on fire, located in the area of the old Trout Farm on Highway 82. Units from three High Rolls Fire stations responded, and the fire was contained to the point of origin by the firefighting crews. The fire is suspected to have been caused by an electrical malfunction. No firefighters or civilians were injured in the operation, and only minor damage was sustained by the structure.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Situation Report: Rollover on Karr Canyon Road

At 5:10pm, High Rolls Fire and EMS was dispatched to an MVA Rollover about 1 and 1/2 miles up Karr Canyon Road from Highway 82. First arriving units found a single passenger vehicle approximately 30 feet down the side of the canyon. One occupant was found, who appeared uninjured and was not transported by EMS. The vehicle was in difficult and very steep terrain, causing a delay in recovery operations. As a result Karr Canyon Road was closed for about 2 hours as the recovery vehicles performed their operations in order for the road to be cleared.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Situation Report:: Injured Hiker Rescued from Salado Canyon

On Saturday, 17th of October, High Rolls Fire and EMS was called to assist an injured hiker on the Bridal Veil Falls trail in Salado Canyon. The hiker was incapacitated and was trapped in a creek-bed, unable to scale the cliff back to safety. High Rolls Fire was assisted by personnel from La Luz FD, and the patient was rescue using ropes and a Stokes Litter. He was located about 1 mile into the trail from the nearest trail-head. The operation took 2 1/2 hours to complete, with the patient being transported to Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center via AMR ambulance.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Situation Report:: Update

High Rolls Fire assisted La Luz FD with traffic control for two vehicle accidents in the area of MM 3 or 4 on Highway 82. These two accidents shut down the highway for approximately 1 hour. They occurred during the night on September 30th, and again around 2:00pm on October 1st.  One involved a 18 wheeled semi-truck.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Situation Report: Motor Vehicle Accident Near MM10 on Highway 82

At 6:47 tonight, High Rolls Fire was called out for a motor vehicle accident near Milepost 10 on US Highway 82. No injuries were reported, fire units performed traffic control until the scene was clear.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Situation Report: Rollover Highway 82 below Lower Escape Ramp

At 2:30 am, High Rolls Fire and EMS responded to a vehicle rollover below the Lower Truck Escape Ramp on US Highway 82.

Friday, September 3, 2010

Situation Report:: Two-Vehicle Head-on Accident West of Tunnel on Highway 82

At 15:56 today, High Rolls Fire was dispatched for a report of a two vehicle accident with injuries, just west of the Highway Tunnel on Highway 82. First arriving units found two vehicles which had struck head on. Three patients were transported to Gerald Champion Medical Center. Units from High Rolls Fire and EMS, Dungan Fire Department, and American Medical Response operated at this emergency. La Luz VFD was also dispatched but canceled en-route.

Situation Report:: Line Down on Cottage Row

At 0705, High Rolls Fire was dispatched for electrical lines down across Cottage Row road. Units on scene later determined the line to be a telephone line, presenting no danger to the public.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Situation Report:: Stalled Gasoline Tanker Blocking Highway 82

High Rolls Fire was dispatched to provide traffic control on Highway 82 1/4 mile East of the Tunnel when a Semi-trailer transporting gasoline became disabled. The tanker truck was blocking the West-bound lane of the two-lane highway. HRVFD was on scene for approximately an hour directing traffic until the semi could be towed.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Situation Report:: Tree Down Across Highway 82

At 15:45 yesterday, High Rolls Fire was dispatched to remove a fallen tree that was creating a safety hazard across the West Bound Lane of Highway 82, near a blind curve. The tree was safely removed by firefighters to prevent a secondary vehicle accident.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Situation Report: Tanker Truck with Smoking Brakes

Around Noon today, High Rolls Fire was called to respond to a report of a semi-trailer tanker truck with hot and smoking brakes near Mile Marker 11 on Highway 82.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Situation Report: Rollover on Fesnal Canyon Road

Approximately 1345 yesterday, High Rolls Fire and EMS was dispatched to a single vehicle rollover .2 miles West of Steep Hill Road in Fresnal Canyon. No one was injured and crews remained on scene until the vehicle was safely removed, allowing the road to be opened.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Situation Report:: Rescue of Family Stranded on Cliff Below Tunnel Vista

At approximately 5:30 pm, High Rolls Fire and EMS was dispatched to assist a hiker stranded at the bottom of Fresnal Canyon below the Tunnel Vista on Highway 82. When High Rolls Fire personnel arrived, they found two adult males and a child stranded on the cliff about halfway up the overlook. A low angle rescue evolution was undertaken with ropes and belays and the stranded persons were safely retrieved to the Tunnel Vista Overlook by 6:45pm. No serious injuries were noted.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Situation Report: RV with Hot Brakes on Highway 82.

High Rolls Fire was dispatched for a motor home coming down the mountain with overheated brakes, near Mile Marker 5 on Highway 82. After a quick check, and a short period of cooling off, the situation stabilized with no damage or further action required.

Monday, June 28, 2010

Situation Report:: Wildfire on on BLM land off Highway 82

At 1:30 pm, High Rolls Fire assisted BLM and Forest Service, and other local units on a wildfire located across Dry Canyon near Mile Marker 3 on Highway 82. The fire was located about 1500' feet up the mountain, in a position unreachable by vehicles, so all firefighting was accomplished by hand crews. The fire (named the Dry Canyon Fire) was turned over to BLM at 5:00pm, and the Smokey Bear Hotshots performed final containment and mop-up. All High Rolls units were released around 7:00pm. High Rolls Fire, La Luz FD, and Alamo West fire departments performed initial attack with hand crews. The fire torched and made several runs, being driven by 20mph wind gusts. The cause of the fire was attributed to lightning.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Situation Report: Vehicle Accident on Highway 82 at Karr Canyon.

Around 9:30 pm, High Rolls Fire and EMS was dispatched for a vehicle accident at the intersection of Karr Canyon Road and Highway 82. No serious injuries were reported.

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Situation Report: Injured Hiker in Apache Canyon

Hire Rolls Fire and EMS was dispatched to assist a hiker injured on the trail in Apache Canyon around 2:00pm. The responding crews had to hike in a short distance to locate and remove the injured party. High Rolls Fire was assisted by elements of Cloudcroft Fire and EMS, Otero County Sherrif, and Rangers from the Lincoln National Forest.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Situation Report: Chasing Smoke in the Lincoln National Forest

The last couple of days has been marked with a rise in the thunderstorm activity over the Sacramento Mountains. With this activity comes lightning. Coupled with the dry forest, it can be a recipe for a slowly simmering forest fire, waiting to burst into life when the right conditions present themselves. High Rolls Fire has responded to two incidents related to possible lightning strikes and smoke sightings within the National Forest areas.

The first occured in the afternoon hours on the 27th of May, and was initially dispatched as a possible structural fire in the boundaries of another adjoining fire district. The smoke proved difficult to located in the canyons of the Sacramentos, and in the end Cloudcroft, High Rolls, and James Canyon fire departments ended up being sent to search for the smoke. It was determined the source of the smoke was a lightning strike in the area of La Luz Canyon.

The second incident occured around midnight on May 28th. High Rolls Fire responded wildland apparatus to the area of Mile Marker 15 on Highway 82 for a report of smoke in Bailey Canyon from an unkown source. At first, a lightning strike was suspected, but it was later determined to be smoke caught in a weather inversion from a controlled burn. This burn was being conducted by Lincoln National Forest fire crews near NM Route 244.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Situation Report:: Lost Hiker in Fresnal Canyon

At 8:40 on May 7th, 2010, High Rolls Fire and EMS was dispatched to rescue a lost hiker located in Fresnal Canyon below the scenic overlook. The hiker was located and appeared uninjured. She was evaluated by EMS and all units later cleared the scene. The hiker stated they stayed in the canyon too long and darkness caused her party to lose their way and she ended up going back up a much rougher trail. It is good she was located early, as it could have made for a rough and dangerous night for the firefighters and the lost hiker.

Monday, May 3, 2010

Situation Report: Highway 82 Closed due to Snow.

High Rolls Fire was dispatched to close Highway 82 to Cloudcroft due to a late Winter snowstorm at 6:40 am. The Highway remained closed until the NM Highway Department snowplows could clear the road and travel was safe for motorists.

Friday, April 30, 2010

Situation Report: Car off cliff near Railroad Trestle on Hwy 82

At 7:40 AM, High Rolls Fire and EMS was dispatched for a motor vehicle accident rollover near the Railroad Trestle. Upon arrival, units found a vehicle which had left the roadway and fell a considerable distance down a cliff into Mexican Canyon near the Cloudcroft Sewage Treatment Plant. The driver sustained minor injuries and was transported via AMR ambulance to Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center. Traffic was tied up on Highway 82 for about an hour. Units from High Rolls, James Canyon, and Cloudcroft Fire Departments responded to this incident.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Situation Report: Power Lines Down and Arcing

This afternoon, High Rolls Fire was dispatched for a report of power lines down and arcing on Old Railroad Drive. Fire units stood by and secured the area for safety and to prevent accidental fires from the electrical arcing. The power was eventually secured. No injuries were reported. This incident was caused by the strong winds experienced on the mountain today.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Training Operations: Drafting


Today the crew trained on setting up and operating a portable draft tank. These tanks are used in conjunction with our Water Tenders to supply water to a pumper truck in areas where there are no fire hydrants. Our Largest Water Tender, #621 carries 3500 gallons, and is set up for one person operations. Everything can be operated within the cab, and video cameras provide visibility for the driver. These photos show the crew setting up for the drafting operation utilizing Tender #621, and it's smaller cousin, Tender #622.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

More Pictures from the 50th Anniversary Activities...

High Rolls FD conducted a few demos to show the public the kinds of activities we are called upon to perform. These demos included a pump and roll wildland fire demo, fire extinguishers, drafting and resupply, and simulated vehicle extrication operations.

Here are a few images...
The High Rolls Fire Demo Team; Left to Right: Paul McCarty, Chris Ryan, Chad Poindexter, Clint Oppell, Steve Mclheney, Mike Jones.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

High Rolls Fire and EMS - 50th Birthday Bash!

High Rolls Fire and EMS celebrated their 50th year of service today. The doors were thrown open and the local residents were invited to partake of a free breakfast and Barbecue dinner. In 1960, High Rolls Fire started with 7 firefighters and a surplus truck with a small pump in the back. In fifty years, we now have 22 firefighters, 4 stations, and 11 fire trucks. The department has come a long way since it's inception 50 years ago.

Here are some pictures from the festivities...

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Pictures from Karr Canyon Accident.

Here are a few images from the Karr Canyon response earlier this day. As you can see, our responding firefighters had their hands full.

Situation Report: Car Overturned with Persons Trapped

Today at 11:15 AM, High Rolls Fire and EMS responded to a report of a vehicle accident with persons trapped on Karr Canyon Rd. Upon arrival, the responding fire units found a passenger car on it's side embedded into a tree. One occupant was able to exit the vehicle, but the other two were trapped and had to be removed by firefighters. Three persons were transported to Gerald Champion Hospital, one with serious injuries. Responding units included High Rolls Fire Stations 1 and 2, Cloudcroft EMS, and AMR Paramedics. Karr Canyon Road was blocked for about 1 1/2 hours as a result.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

High Rolls Fire and EMS turns 50!

Join us on April the 10th for our 50th Anniversary celebration. We will be staging an Open House at our Main Station at 39 Old Railroad Drive in High Rolls, NM. Planned events will include a Barbecue, display of fire apparatus and equipment, history of High Rolls Fire, Activities for the Kids, and Fire Safety, EMS/CPR, and Fire Extinguisher demos. Activities are roughly scheduled from 8:30am to 12:30pm.

Bring the family for some food and fun with the High Rolls Fire Department in celebration of our 50th anniversary!

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Highlights from Thursday's Live Training...


Thursdays' training consisted of a live burn simulating a typical vehicle fire. Crews practiced safe approaches and fire attack methods to avoid danger zones created by airbags and struts. During a vehicle fire these can become deadly projectiles.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Situation Report: Chimney Fire in Terrace Circle area.

At 6 o' clock pm, High Rolls Fire was dispatched for a report of a chimney fire in the Terrace Circle area; unknown address. The report was from a person viewing it from across the canyon. After a small search of the area, the fire was located and was extinguished with no damage to the residence. Fire was confined to the chimney. The occupant was advised to have the chimney cleaned before using it again.

This highlights an important concern for the winter season; having a clean chimney free of creosote build-up. If you have not had your chimney cleaned this year, please have it done. Little chimney fires can develop into full scale structural fires very easily. A little prevention goes a long way.

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Situation Report: Semi-Truck Rollover

At 11:35 pm, on January 29th, High Rolls Fire was dispatched to the rollover of an eighteen wheel semi-truck at the intersection of Highway 82 and Apache Canyon Rd. The eighteen wheeler was coming down the mountain, westbound on Highway 82, when the operator lost control and rolled over spilling his load of automobile tires. The vehicle was extensively damaged, but no injuries were reported. Highway 82 remained closed for six hours while road crews cleaned up the load and cleared wreckage.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Situation Report: Motor Vehicle Collision in Pineywoods

High Rolls Fire and EMS was called to a motor vehicle collision at 6:15pm today. The accident occurred directly in front of High Rolls Fire Pineywoods Station # 3, located in the Pineywoods Subdivision. The narrow roads to the area were difficult to travel due to snow and ice, and access to the scene was very limited. One patient was transported to Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center with a chest injury. Units from High Rolls Station 1 and the Pineywoods Substation responded to this incident.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Situation Report: Delivery Truck Rollover in Snowstorm.

Around 3:30 pm on January 22nd, High Rolls Fire and EMS was dispatched to a rollover involving a delivery type Box Truck on Highway 82 near the Apache Canyon turn-off. The truck had been travelling down the mountain in a severe snowstorm, when it slid off the road and turned over. It took nearly an hour and a half to clear, using a large wrecker and a crane. No injuries were reported.

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Situation Report: Motor Vehicle Accident

At around 06:15 AM on the 8th of January, High Rolls Fire and EMS responded to a motor vehicle collision on Highway 82 at the Pine Valley intersection. Weather was snowing and extrememly foggy at the time, and operations were made more complicated by the snow on the roadway. One patient was transported to Gerald Champion Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Training Announcement

Training on the new Rescue truck is scheduled for Saturday, the 9th of January. It is to begin at 09:00 AM.

A meeting is scheduled at 7:00 PM on the 12th of January to plan for the HRVFD 50th Anniversary celebration. Please try to attend.

Sierra Blanca Fire Academy

The annual Sierra Blanca Wildland Fire Academy in Ruidoso is scheduled for the first week of February. If you are interested in going contact Chief Klaene. Class expenses are normally covered by the department for members.

You can see the training schedule at this link:
http://gacc.nifc.gov/swcc/administrative/training/training.htm


Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Situation Report: Fire Alarm

At 7:45pm, High Rolls Fire responded to a fire alarm activation on Hummingbird Drive. No emergency was found and all fire units cleared scene shortly afterwards.