Tag Archives: fire

Eastvale: What It Means To Be A Police Officer

By LEAFF (Law Enforcement and Fire Fighters)

Eastvale – Have you ever heard the saying, “If you want to be loved, be a firefighter; and if you want to be hated, be a cop?” It seems that in today’s world and with recent cases in the news – including the brutal execution of two New York Police Officers – this has never been more true. However, let us take the time to really think about what it takes to be a Police Officer and reflect on that this year.

In 2014, 113 police officers were killed in the line of duty. These courageous men and women will never see their families, friends, or co-workers again and all for the service of others. While there may be “bad apples” in the bunch, the facts are that there are far more “good” cops that go to work each day and work vigilantly to uphold the law.

Representatives like Officer Stacy from Alabama, who caught a women stealing from a grocery store to feed her kids because she was short 50 cents to buy a dozen eggs. Instead of arresting her, he went back into the store and bought her a carton of eggs. Later, he brought her two truckloads of food. These stories don’t always get told.

What about Hamburg Officer, Joe Bloom, who helped a family with a disabled child get her medicine during the terrible storms on the East Coast? Or Officer Briggs, who talked a man out of jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge.

Police Officers do much more than arrest criminals, write tickets and patrol the streets. Often, they go above and beyond to keep your family safe and to help those that others may walk by.

On behalf of all citizens, THANK YOU to our Law Enforcement Officers who go out and do the right thing each day. We appreciate what you do.

In 2015, take the time to be thankful for all the good Police Officers out there who deserve your respect and admiration.

Azusa: Christmas Tree Sparks Home Fire

Staff Reports

Azusa – Unattended candles too close to a dry and brittle Christmas tree – weeks past its prime – set off a house fire in the early morning hours of Tues., Jan. 13. The home is a total loss and the family is displaced, but they are safe.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACoFD) responded to the residential blaze in the 5400 block of Clydebank Avenue at approximately 2:30 a.m. 30 firefighters had the blaze completely under control and snuffed within an hour, but the home was gutted.

“We’re now into the second week of the new year, so any Christmas trees still set up inside homes present a serious fire danger,” said L.A. County Fire Chief, Daryl Osby. “This fire could have been prevented. This is a terrible way for this family to start the New Year.”

LACoFD would like to remind everyone about the importance of removing live Christmas trees from homes before they become dry and brittle. Also, make sure that your home has a working smoke detector. 70 percent of house fires occur in residences without a working detector.

If your tree is still in your home, contact your local waste management company to schedule a curbside pickup.

LACoFD invites you to visit their website at www.fire.lacounty.gov to learn how to stay fire safe all year long.

Chino Hills: Smoke Alarm Saves Chino Hills Life

STAFF REPORTS

Chino Hills – October is Fire Prevention Month, and Cal Fire reminds us that working smoke alarms save lives. That was certainly the case when a fire broke out in a two-story home on the 15000 block of Avenida Del Rio in Chino Hills.

The Chino Valley Fire District reports that they responded to a reported structure fire at approximately 3 p.m. on Tues., Oct. 14, and found smoke emanating from the second story. Firefighters made entry into the house and initiated an aggressive interior attack. The fire was quickly brought under control and contained to the area of origin with minimal fire extension to the attic. Two bedrooms sustained smoke damage.

The cause of the fire appears to be a candle left burning on a cabinet in an upstairs hallway. The owner was home at the time of the fire, and self-evacuated prior to firefighter arrival after being alerted to the fire by a working smoke alarm in the home. This incident might have had a very different outcome if the smoke alarm was not in proper working order.

The Chino Valley Fire District states that this type of fire can be prevented by following these safety rules:

Always keep a burning candle within sight
Never burn candles on or near anything that can catch fire
Always keep burning candles out of the reach of children and pets
Never use candles as a source of heat
Always use an appropriate candleholder and place it on a stable, heat-resistant surface
Always extinguish all candles when leaving the house, room of use, or when going to bed
Always ensure that you have smoke alarms correctly installed and that they are in good working order

Remember, having more than one properly placed smoke alarm can significantly increase your chance of surviving a fire. Be sure to test your smoke alarms regularly. For more information on fire safety and smoke alarms, visit www.chinovalleyfire.org.

County Fire Chief Closes Hazardous Hiking Areas Due To Fire Danger

Cal Fire Press Release

Posted Date: 6/18/2014 9:30 AM

CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Chief, John R. Hawkins received approval from the Riverside County Board Supervisors to close seven hiking areas throughout Riverside County on June 17, 2014. The closures will remain in effect until further notice in the following areas:

Avery Canyon (Gibbel Road east of State Street in Hemet)
North Mountain and Indian Canyon (San Jacinto area)
Whitewater Canyon (Cabazon, north of Palm Springs)
Nuevo/Lakeview (east of Menifee Road and San Jacinto Avenue)
Minto (Sage)
Reinhardt Canyon (north of Highway 74 and California Avenue in Hemet)
Ramona Bowl and Bautista Canyon (southeast Hemet)

Riverside County Ordinance 787.6 restricts public access to these identified hazardous fire areas unless private property access is required. Public roadway travel is permitted, providing travel is confined to those surfaces within hazardous fire areas. Those violating the Ordinance may be subject to a minimum fine of $100 for first-time offenses. Future closures may be implemented based upon weather conditions, fuel moisture and increased wildland fire threat. For additional information on the closure of these hazardous fire areas, please contact the CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department Public Affairs Bureau at (951) 940-6985.

Rancho Cucamonga: Etiwanda Fire Caused Smoke Concerns for Diamond Bar/Walnut

STAFF REPORTS

The Etiwanda Fire forced evacuations of nearly 1,700 homes (Photo Courtesy: KTLA.com)

Rancho Cucamonga – The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) issued a smoke advisory due to the conditions caused by the Etiwanda Fire. This wind-driven brush fire started Wednesday, and has currently burned over 1,000 acres. The air quality impact from the blaze has signaled concern for Diamond Bar, Walnut, La Verne, Claremont and Pomona. With the fire being only 10 percent contained due to the extreme wind conditions prevalent throughout the week, as well as high heat and low humidity, citizens are advised to avoid unnecessary activities outside.

At this time only one home has been damaged, but air conditions have caused many schools to close due to air and safety concerns. Mandatory evacuations for nearly 1,700 homes were issued on Wednesday, but lifted on Thursday. Schools, including Alta Loma High School, Banyon Elementary, Caryn Elementary, Etiwanda High School, Golden Elementary, Day Creek Intermediate, Los Osos High School, Rancho Cucamonga High School, and Chaffey College, remained closed on Thursday as well.

Santa Ana wind conditions always bring fire concerns, and this season is no exception. The initial cause of the Etiwanda Fire is still under investigation.

Eastvale: Residential Fire Confirmed as Marijuana House

BY: JENNIFER MADRIGAL

Firefighters respond to residential fire in Eastvale. (Photo courtesy of Mimi Perez)

Eastvale – On Monday night, February 10th, at 6:25p.m. the Eastvale Fire Department responded to a home on fire in the 12000 block of Craigburn Circle in Eastvale. The fire was extinguished and fire personnel’s investigation discovered that the residence contained an indoor marijuana grow operation. According to a press release from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, Eastvale Police Department was notified. A search warrant was obtained and served by officers assigned to Eastvale’s Special Enforcement Team. Officers were able to seize 1103 marijuana plants and 35 lbs of processed marijuana. Electricity was also being bypassed around the meter, which may have been the cause of the fire.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is committed to the safety of the citizens of Eastvale and will be vigilant in investigating all crimes of this nature. Anyone with information about this incident please contact Officer Javier Morando at the Jurupa Valley Station at 951-955-2600.

Tips for Spotting Pot Houses:

Windows often covered from inside residence
Commercial grade air conditioners and electrical equipment may be seen being moved or installed (especially by individuals other than uniformed utility workers may be accessing the electrical vaults near the street).
Lights and televisions are set on timers, and turn on and off at the same time every day
People come and go and leave within a few hours. Often pull in and out of the garage and immediately shut the door.

Eastvale: Vernal Springs Fire Confirmed As Grow House

Eastvale – By Shaunda Goegebuer – On December 13, 2013, shortly before 7:30 AM, a home in the 14000 block of Vernal Springs Court, in the City of Eastvale erupted into flames. Five engines, including a hook-and-ladder, as well as other fire personnel and numerous Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the blaze. Employees of Southern California Edison were also on scene.

Firefighters tackle a fire Friday in Eastvale (B Walsh)

As neighbors and other onlookers watched, the fire fighters systematically worked to extinguish the fully involved structure. The fire appeared to have initiated in the area of the garage, where two vehicles were located. Reportedly no one was home at the time of the fire.

A neighbor, who wished to remain anonymous, reported he had noticed suspicious activity at the home recently. He had reported to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office that the Southern California Edison tamper tag, installed on residential electrical panels, was missing, the upstairs windows of the home were typically open, and the resident’s had sporadic patterns of coming and going. Given the increase in local marijuana grow houses, the neighbor was suspicious of these activities. He spoke with a detective but never heard back from the Sheriff’s office about their findings. He indicated he called 911 about the fire when he saw smoke emanating from the electrical panel. It took over an hour to extinguish the fire. The vehicles in the garage were destroyed and the home appeared to be a total loss.

Sheriff’s investigators got a search warrant and seized 645 plants. Upon further discovery, they confirmed that electricity was being bypassed illegally around the meter, which may have been a big cause of the fire.