On May 24, 2025, quick action from County Fire Boat 18 kept a fire aboard a pleasure boat on Lake Havasu from spreading at a busy marina.
With wind threatening to spread fire to other vessels docked at Riviera Marina, Boat 18’s crew first towed the fully-engulfed vessel to a safer area, then deployed deck-based hose lines to bring the fire under control in minutes.
The operator of the affected boat safely evacuated to the dock without injury; however, the vessel was a total loss.
Initial reports suggested a fuel issue caused the fire.
Thousands of visitors flock to the Havasu area each Memorial Day weekend. With expected increased emergency activity, County Fire Stations 32 in Needles and 18 in Havasu have supplemented staffing.
Boat 18 in fact responded to a similar fire Friday, as well as to several other emergencies related to the busy weekend.
San Bernardino County Sheriff Air Rescue 306, whose crew includes two County Fire paramedics, is covering the area for the weekend and captured aerial footage of the incident.
Time/Location: Sat., May 24, 10:30 a.m., Lake Havasu
Incident: Boat/Watercraft Fire
Media Contact: Ryan Beckers, Public Information Officer
Rbeckers@sbcfire.org