The following is a listing of some of the local calls for service involving the Modesto Fire Department, which staffs Stations 27 and 28 in Oakdale; and the Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Department, covering the Riverbank area. Calls were logged during the time period of Tuesday, July 14 through Monday, July 20.
SUNDAY, JULY 19
No time listed – Modesto Engine 27 assisted “Air George” with a safe landing zone at Oak Valley Hospital for a transport to Valley Children’s Hospital. Air George is a pediatric specialty transport helicopter.
FRIDAY, JULY 17
The new Battalion 5 vehicle went into service in Oakdale; its off-road capabilities were tested during the Mitchell Incident in Tuolumne River Regional Park.
3:41 p.m. – Modesto, Ceres, Stanislaus, Turlock City and Rural, Hughson, Denair, and Burbank-Paradise Fire crews responded to a rapidly spreading vegetation that spread to both sides of Mitchell Bridge on the north bank of the Tuolumne River, including the Tuolumne River Regional Park area. Crews battled multiple fires in that area for over five hours, containing the fire to just under 37 acres. No structures were threatened, nor injuries reported. Modesto Police, Stanislaus Sheriff and City of Modesto Public Works assisted in the effort. The Stanislaus Fire Investigation Unit was investigating.
7:59 p.m. – Modesto Water Rescue 28, Engine 27, and Battalion 502 responded to Woodward Reservoir for a water rescue involving missing boaters on the lake. Crews arrived on scene to learn that the missing boaters had been towed to safety by another boater.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15
11:09 p.m. – Modesto Engine 28 responded to an unknown type fire between two houses in the 1300 block of Ranch House Street in Oakdale. Engine 28 found a smoldering fence fire with no extension to the houses. Fire cause is under investigation.
TUESDAY, JULY 14
4:43 p.m. – Modesto Grass 30, Brush 28, Grass 27, Water Tender 27 and Battalion 5 responded with Cal Fire to reports of a vegetation fire on Milton near Highway 4. Air Attack 440 located a small 30-foot area of grass on fire contained by the property owner. One engine from Cal Fire remained on scene; remaining crews were released.
6:58 p.m. – Modesto Brush 28, Grass 27, Water Tender 27, Grass 30, Battalion 5, Stanislaus Engine 26, Brush 24 and Water Tender 24 responded to reports of a vegetation fire on River Road at Liberini Avenue in Oakdale. Crews located a large agriculture burn pile that had spread to vegetation, farm equipment and abandoned vehicles. Crews contained the fire back to the burn pile with minor damage to the abandoned vehicles.
