OC Firefighters News | February 2019 | View as Webpage
February 6, 2019
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In an effort to keep you up to date on the latest local, statewide, and federal fire issues, OC Firefighters send out monthly news clippings. This newsletter will help inform you about very important fire-related matters.

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Part of Westminster strip mall burns, One Firefighter Injured
WESTMINSTER - Smoke pumped into the afternoon sky across north Orange County as a fire swept through a Westminster strip mall. The two-alarm fire broke out about 4:45 p.m. at the 9200 block of Bishop Place, said Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Larry Kurtz. One firefighter suffered a minor injury during the blaze.

Flames could be seen burning through the roof of the sprawling building, which includes a bridal shop, flower store and auto repair company. As the flames spread, crews assumed a defensive posture, pulling crews out of the structure and pouring water onto the flames from outside the building. A large portion of the building appeared to be a complete loss. It was not immediately clear what sparked the blaze, but Kurtz said the fire appeared to have started on one end of the strip mall, then spread through the common attic that stretched over all the businesses in the structure. Kurtz said the bulk of the fire was knocked down shortly after 5:30 p.m.
Photos by the OCFA
2 people, 2 cats die in ‘suspicious’ Santa Ana house fire; dog saved by firefighters
SANTA ANA - The Santa Ana Police Department has taken over an investigation into a “suspicious” New Year’s Day fire at a house where two people were found dead and two cats were killed. A dog at the scene was saved by firefighters. The house fire in the 2300 block of Manly Ave. was reported to Orange County Fire Authority at 10:45 a.m., and firefighters responded within minutes, said OCFA Capt. Stephen Horner. “They quickly knocked down the fire and confirmed two fatalities,” he said.
Photo by Santa Ana PD
2 dogs killed in Yorba Linda duplex fire, officials say
YORBA LINDA - Two dogs were killed in a duplex fire in Yorba Linda Wednesday night. Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Larry Kurtz said two adults and two children were displaced from the home when the blaze broke out at about 6:15 p.m. in the 6600 block of Kameha Circle. The OCFA tweeted that 32 firefighters battled the residential structure fire and got control of the blaze, which spread to the duplex's attic. It was put out in about 30 minutes.
Photo by the OCFA
Residents escape fire that damages 3-story home in Cowan Heights
COWAN HEIGHTS - Residents escaped injury after a fire damaged a three-story home Tuesday morning, Feb. 6 in an unincorporated North Tustin neighborhood. The blaze was reported shortly after 1 a.m. in the 10200 block of Cowan Heights Drive, according to Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Larry Kurtz.
Photo by the OCFA
Rescue Sleeping Man From Burning Home
TUSTIN - Early Sunday morning a passing motorist in the area of Newport and Cowan Heights saw something that looked like flames lighting up the dark sky. He called 9-1-1, quite possibly saving a man's life, authorities have said. As firefighters from Orange County Fire Authority and Orange City Fire arrived on the scene, the deputies brought the homeowner outside and ensured that there were no further people or pets inside the home. The blaze was knocked down at approximately 2 a.m. Sunday morning and no one was injured, OCFA spokesperson Larry Kurtz said.
Photo by the OCFA
Fire Contained in Santa Ana Homeless Encampment
SANTA ANA - Firefighters battled flames in a homeless encampment near railroad tracks in Santa Ana, authorities said Monday. The fire was reported at 11:20 p.m. on South Grand Avenue south of Chestnut Avenue, the Orange County Fire Authority said. It was described by the OCFA in a tweet as a “larger fire.”
Firefighters Battle Fire At Villa Park Residence
VILLA PARK - Orange County Fire Authority responded to a house fire on the 18000 block of Oakfield Drive in Villa Park, Tuesday. Smoke was seen and sirens heard from nearby Villa Park High School, and the intersection of Taft and Santiago Road, according to reports. The blaze was confined to a storage building of the home, and there were no injuries, OCFA Capt. Larry Kurtz told Patch.
Photo by the OCFA
Elderly woman saved after her car crashes into path of oncoming train in Santa Ana
SANTA ANA - Two people pushed a car off of railroad tracks, moving an elderly motorist out of the path of an oncoming train following a collision in Santa Ana on Tuesday, Jan. 8. A white Pontiac Grand Am involved in a two-vehicle traffic collision at the intersection of 17th Street and Lincoln Avenue traveled into a nearby railroad crossing at about 3:15 p.m. as an Amtrak train was approaching, according to Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Larry Kurtz. He said two residents who were in the area pushed the car away from the tracks and removed a woman in her 90s from the vehicle’s driver seat.
Car Slides Into Ravine In San Clemente, Injured Woman Airlifted
SAN CLEMENTE - A vehicle slid into a ravine at Camino del Rio and Avenida La Pata in San Clemente, authorities said. Orange County firefighters responded to rescue the driver, a woman, who was trapped inside. For unknown reasons, the black Volkswagen Jetta slid off the road and fell "a couple of hundred feet into the ravine," OCFA Capt. Larry Kurtz told Patch.
Video courtesy of the OC Sheriff
OCFA Assists In Rescuing Injured Off-Roaders
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO - Emergency responders from Riverside and Orange counties helped rescue two off-road riders hurt in the Horsethief Canyon area over the weekend, airlifting them out of a remote area before rushing them to the hospital. Orange County Fire Authority assisted CalFire Riverside County, rescuing two trauma patients, they said. The first patient was airlifted and transferred to a waiting ground ambulance and then transported to an area hospital with moderate injuries, the fire department reported. "A second patient was extracted and transported by helicopter to an area hospital also with moderate injuries."
Suspicious package found at Santa Ana courthouse
SANTA ANA - A sheriff’s deputy and three court workers were treated for unspecified symptoms after a suspicious package was found at Orange County’s main courthouse in Santa Ana on Thursday, Jan. 17. The item was found in a courtroom, which was not in session, on the third floor of 700 Civic Center Drive in the courthouse’s west wing at about 2 p.m., according to Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Larry Kurtz.
Photo by Kevin Sullivan, Orange County Register/SCNG
A History of California Wildfires
See the perimeters of more than 100 years of California wildfires recorded by Cal Fire and the U.S. Geological Survey.
Congratulations to the 16 Newly Promoted Engineers
Orange County Fire Authority recently held a promotional ceremony for the 16 newly promoted Fire Apparatus Engineers. This group of 16 individuals went through an eight-week academy where they learned everything about fire engines and fire trucks, including pumping water to hoses, manipulating articulating ladders, and driving a large apparatus. Congratulations on your well deserved promotion!
Photo by the OCFA

2017 Orange County Firefighters Year In Review
We are proud to present the inaugural Orange County Firefighters Year in Review photo book! In 2017, our Firefighters responded to more than 141,000 emergencies throughout the 23 cities and unincorporated communities of Orange County - an average of 505 emergency calls per day. Click HERE to view the book.

OC Firefighters - IAFF Local 3631 | 1900 East Warner Ave Ste G | Santa Ana | CA | 92705

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