FIRE DANGER
Low
BURN PERMITS
EMERGENCY UPDATES
NONE.
Burn Season is open -
permits valid until
May 31st, 2024
JOIN OUR TEAM!
San Juan County Fire District 4, operating as Lopez Island Fire and EMS is seeking interested persons to fill a recently vacated position on the District Board of Commissioners.
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The appointed person will have the option to run in the November 2025 general election, to complete the unfinished term. Each term is 6 years, this position has 5 years left as of January 1st 2025.
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This position is non-salaried and reimbursed on a per meeting basis, paid out in December of each year. The district does offer air service memberships to the board members and their household, there are no other benefits offered.
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To apply, a letter of interest should be delivered to 2228 Fisherman Bay Road by December 16th 2024. Letters can also be mailed to:
San Juan County Fire District 4
P.O. Box 1
Lopez Island, WA.
98261
For any questions, please call (360) 468-2991, or email lopezfire@lopezfire.com
November 5th 2024
Pickering Lane Structure Fire
November 4th 2024
At 11:04 pm, Lopez Fire and EMS responded to a structure fire on Pickering Lane. The fire was called in to 911 by the residents after they were awoken by their smoke detectors and unable to escape from the structure. The first arriving unit found that all residents were able to exit the structure on their own. The front door access to the home was blocked by flames, a hose line was pulled, and the flames were knocked down. Fire personnel then pulled the ceiling to reveal hidden fire in the attic, which was quickly extinguished. Residents stated that one of them was woken up by the smoke detector in the home and found flames outside of their bedroom window. They then went to wake up the other person in the home and tried to exit thought the front door. They encountered extreme heat through the doorknob and determined they could not leave that way. Having no other door to exit, 911 was called, where they stated they were trapped. Both residents then decided to climb out a second story bathroom window to safety. They then joined a neighbor in attempting to fight the fire with a garden hose. Lopez Fire and EMS was assisted by OPALCO.
Lopez Fire and EMS and the San Juan County Fire Marshall investigated and determined the cause to be a hot charcoal briquette barbecue left unattended on the front porch.
Two residents and a neighbor were injured, all were treated on scene by EMS, with no need for transport. A dog belonging to the residents perished in the fire.
This is a good example of how having working smoke detectors in your home can save lives, reduce the chance for injuries, and decrease home damage in the case of a fire.
October 16th 2024
Rum Runner Road Structure fire
October 16th 2024
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On Wednesday October 16th at 00:23 am, Lopez Fire and EMS responded to a structure fire in the 100 block of Rum Runner Road. The fire was called in to 911 by the residents after they were awoken by their smoke detectors. The first arriving fire officer found smoke throughout the area of the house farthest from their bedroom. The homeowner states that while evacuating the structure, they noticed 2-foot flames coming from the crawl space just outside the door, they took a garden hose and extinguished the exterior fire and put the hose into the vent, knocking down the flames. The first arriving engine pulled a hose and tried to make access into the crawl space, but it was determined to be too dangerous due to low clearance and smoke, so they backed out. Crews then entered the house and began cutting through the flooring which included 1 inch of a gypsum concrete radiant heat flooring system on top of a plywood sub floor. They then had to cut a floor joist to gain access. Fire had spread through the crawl space about 6 feet in every direction from the source and melted all of the electrical, phone, internet, and plumbing lines. The fire was quickly extinguished, and fire crews remained on scene for a few hours to apply water to hot spots and ensure no flare ups. This fire was difficult due to having limited access to the area that only allowed one firefighter at a time to gain access. Lopez Fire and EMS was assisted by OPALCO.
Lopez Fire and EMS investigated in coordination with the San Juan County Fire Marshall and determined the cause to be an electrical transformer that feeds the low voltage lights for the yard.
The room closest to the fire and its contents suffered smoke damage. No residents were injured, one firefighter experienced over-exertion and had to be evaluated and treated on scene by EMS, but did not require transport to the hospital.
This is a good example of how having working smoke detectors in your home can save lives, reduce the chance for injuries, and decrease home damage in the case of a fire.
Burn Permit Season OPEN
as of October 1st, 2024
​During the open burning season, permits are required for residential and commercial-size burn piles. Residential burns may be up to ten-feet in diameter.
Permits cost $20 and are valid from date of purchase through May 31st, 2024
Commercial burn permits are $300, require heavy equipment, water on site, and field inspection prior to burning.
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Please note that the San Juan County Fire Marshall determines burn restrictions and burn bans.
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SJC Fire Marshal's Website https://www.sanjuanco.com/1088/Fire-Marshal
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ARE YOU WILDFIRE READY?
GET YOUR FREE WILDFIRE READY PLAN TODAY!
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Wildfire is a fact of life. But when we come together as neighbors, we can reduce the risk wildfire poses to our properties, homes, and communities.
By working together, everyone benefits! Sign up today to get your free Wildfire Ready Plan and schedule a consultation from our local wildfire experts.
From the Fire Chief -
You might be tempted to skirt the burn restrictions with the false assumption that “nothing will happen to me”.
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This morning Lopez Fire responded to, and luckily was able to extinguish, an easily preventable wildfire. This wildfire developed from someone burning weeds with a propane torch over 12-hours earlier.
We would like to remind you that fire danger is high and there should be no open flames or unattended fires. Weeds, garbage, and other non-firewood materials are not permissible to be burned during this season.
Please limit all fires to campfires; three feet or less in diameter, built on bare soil, gravel, or in a fire bowl. Keep your fires well away from structures and make sure to put fires dead out before leaving them unattended.
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2023 Call Details
In 2023, Lopez Fire and EMS responded to:
14 fires
17 fire alarms
423 medical calls (including car accidents)
5 search and rescue calls
3 hazardous condition calls
16 burn complaints
37 public assistance or non-life-threatening events
How Fire-Safe is YOUR Home?
We have all seen the dangers of house fires here on the Island this year. The good news is that there are simple and very effective steps you can take to protect yourselves and your loved ones.
Home Safety Checks - where a Firefighter comes to your house to check your home for fire safety improvements that you can easily make - are a proven way to reduce fire injuries and deaths.
Contact the Lopez Fire Department to schedule a (free) Home Safety Check.
How Lopez Fire and EMS uses social media
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I noticed, after our recent informational post on Facebook, there is some confusion as to how we as an agency utilizes social media platforms. While we may post on sites like Facebook and Twitter, we utilize these sites as tools to inform the public of emergency activities in the hopes that it will deter people from entering the emergency zone; this happens quite often and can be dangerous to responders and the public. We do not monitor the site and will not give emergency information over these platforms, except as a follow up to an emergency broadcast already delivered through conventional means. If there is an incident that directly impacts your safety, you will have already been contacted either in person or through the County's reverse 911 system.
We also, as an agency, do not routinely respond to comments on our social media sites. If you have any questions for Lopez Fire and EMS, please call the office or use the contact option on this web site.
Thank you,
Adam Bigby
Fire Chief
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March 26th 2024
February 11, 2024
MacKaye Harbor Structure Fire
Press Release
February 13th, 2024
SAN JUAN COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT 4
Lopez Island Fire and EMS Department
2228 Fisherman Bay Road
Lopez Island, WA 98261
On Sunday, February 11th, Lopez Fire and EMS responded to a structure fire in the 700 block of MacKaye Harbor Road. On arrival crews found the rear of the structure heavily involved and the fire spread very quickly throughout the single-family residence.
Despite the efforts of Lopez firefighters, the structure is a total loss. The home continued to smolder overnight and crews remained on scene to manage any flareups. Fire crews made access to the structure during the daylight hours on Monday to extinguish any remaining hot spots and recover valuables for the residents. The Red Cross was contacted to offer assistance to the structure's residents, who were luckily able to get out of the home quickly and with minimal injuries.
Lopez Firefighters, EMS and Logistics crew members all responded to this incident along with assistance from OPALCO and The American Red Cross. One resident received minor burn injuries while trying to extinguish the fire with an extinguisher. There were no injuries to fire personnel. Chad Kimple the County Fire Marshall was on scene Monday morning to investigate and determined the fire was accidental and caused by an unattended pan on a stove top.
UPDATE:
January 14, 2024
Whiskey Hill Structure Fire
February 1st, 2024
from SAN JUAN COUNTY FIRE MARSHAL NEWS
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On Sunday January 14, 2024, Lopez Island Fire and EMS responded to a structure fire in the 500 block of Whiskey Hill Rd. The Fire Department arrived to a working structure fire and confirmed all occupants were accounted for. Fire suppression efforts were made effectively during the cold and freezing conditions.
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No injuries to the homeowners, the public, or first responders were reported. Lopez Island Fire and EMS requested the San Juan County Fire Marshal respond to investigate the cause and origin of the fire.
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The fire investigation has been ruled accidental in nature involving a portable, electric oil-filled heater.
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The San Juan County Fire Marshal would like to remind all homeowners to have working smoke detectors, at least one portable fire extinguisher, and an escape plan in case of a fire.
Contact:
Chad Kimple, San Juan County Fire Marshal, (360) 378-3473 (FIRE), firemarshal@sanjuanco.com
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link: https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=1557
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Press Release
January 14th, 2024
SAN JUAN COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT 4
Lopez Island Fire and EMS Department
2228 Fisherman Bay Road
Lopez Island, WA 98261
On Sunday, January 14th, Lopez Fire and EMS responded to a structure fire in the 500 block of Whiskey Hill. Upon arrival, crews found a single family dwelling with smoke and fire showing. Because of the steep terrain and icy conditions, efforts are ongoing to completely extinguish the smoldering. The Red Cross has been contacted and is helping to find housing for the structure's residents. Crews are expected to be onsite into Sunday night.
We would like to credit our Firefighters, EMS and Logistics crew members. There have been no injuries, to crew or residents. Damage estimates are unknown at this time and the fire remains under investigation by the the San Juan County Fire Marshall, who was on scene soon after the Incident was paged out. No cause has been determined at this time.
San Juan County Fire District 4 reminds everyone to have working smoke alarms in their homes and to have an escape plan, practice it, and be prepared to use it in the event of a fire.
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Wildfire Mitigation and Risk
There has been a lot of concern about wildfire here on Lopez since the recent, tragic events in Maui. The County Fire Chiefs, County Emergency Management, and our partnering agencies met August 22nd to put together messaging to answer some common questions we have all been getting, that document is posted below. I invite you to click the link below to sign up for the County Dept of Emergency Management reverse 911 emergency alert system. You don't need to be signed up to get alerts but this will allow alerts to be sent to you via the phone numbers and email addresses of your choice. Click on San Juan County Emergency Management below to access their full site. As Always, Lopez Fire and EMS is available for Fire Wise visits to your home, call or use the contact link in the menu above to request a visit.
ABOUT
San Juan County Fire District No. 4 is a rural fire district that serves Lopez Island in the San Juan archipelago in Washington state. Lopez Fire and EMS operates from 4 stations providing emergency services to a 29 Square mile first due response area with a year-round population of approximately 3000, that more than doubles with vacationing visitors. The community is a mixture of residential, agriculture, forest land, and commercial with some industrial manufacturing facilities and a wide variety of recreational areas. The community is heavily impacted by tourism, with visitors coming to utilize the area for outdoor activities. This includes fishing, hunting, hiking, biking, and boating. Population increases can fluctuate up to 7,000 visitors at any given time, depending on the season.
The fire district is governed by a 3-member elected board of Fire Commissioners and is operationally overseen by the Fire Chief who works with very capable administrative and field personnel. Currently Lopez Fire and EMS has 3 career Captains on rotating 48-hour shifts and 2 career Firefighter EMT's who work 10-hour days. The majority of emergency personnel respond from home to our 4 fire stations strategically located throughout the island. Lopez Fire and EMS provides the community a wide range of services utilizing career and volunteer personnel, including structural and wildland firefighting, ALS/BLS ambulance transport services, rescue services, and operations Level HAZMAT.
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San Juan County Fire District 4 is funded through both a general tax levy and an EMS levy. Together these levies generate approximately 94% of our operating revenue. The second source is fee-for-service Advanced Life Support services, which generates 3% of our operating revenue, Lopez Fire and EMS never bills Lopez Island residents for services not covered under insurance.
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