Date/Time: 10/06/2023, 11:35AM
Location: 56000 block of Buena Vista, Yucca Valley loop
Incident: Structure Fire
Summary:
San Bernardino County Fire crews were dispatched to an unknown type of fire in the 56000 block of Buena Vista in Yucca Valley. 911 callers stated smoke in the area.
ME41 arrived on-scene to find vegetation fire that had extended into a structure. The call was upgraded to a residential structure fire response. Arriving firefighters encountered heavy fire conditions, a power line energizing a metal fence and strong, unpredictable winds. Crews Simultaneously worked on perimeter control of the vegetation fire & fire suppression efforts on the structure fire. Edison was requested to mitigate the electrical hazard. Crews had to operate from a defensive posture due to the fire involvement and structural instability.
It tools firefighters approximately 45 minutes to knock down the fire. One home received heavy damage and one adjacent home received exterior heat damage. One civilian received a minor injury from touching the electrically energized fence. No firefighters were injured. All searches of the home came back negative.
San Bernardino County Fire responded with three engines, an ambulance, Battalion Chief and an Investigator. CALFIRE assisted with an Engine and Chief Officer. Thank you to our cooperators for your assistance.
Downed Power Line Safety Tips
⸱ If you see a downed power line, move away from it and anything touching it. The ground around power lines – up to 35 feet away – may be energized.
⸱ You cannot tell whether a power line is energized just by looking at it. You should assume that all downed power lines are live.
⸱ If you see someone who is in direct or indirect contact with the downed line, do not touch the person. You could become the next victim. Call 911 for help.
⸱ Do not attempt to move a downed power line or anything else in contact with it by using an object such as a broom or stick. Even non-conductive materials like wood or cloth, can conduct electricity if even slightly wet.
