Logan Structure Fire

MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Structure Fire

Logan, Utah – December 18 2013 – The Logan Fire Department with automatic aid from North Logan, Smithfield, Wellsville, Hyrum and the Cache County Fire District responded to a report of a structure fire at Rita’s Bakery located at 311 West North Main Logan. The fire was reported by the building’s occupants to 911 at 17:36.  

Upon arrival the fire department found moderate amount of smoke.  Fire crews were able to make access to the fire from the second floor of the bakery as well as from the adjacent business. The fire was located in a wall between the two occupancies. Fire crews were able to extinguish the fire before it spread to any other part of the structure.  

The building sustained moderate damage between the two occupancies.  Damage is estimated at $10,000. The cause of the fire is under investigation. 

Contact:

Craig Humphreys, Fire Marshal

 Logan Fire Department

(435) 716-9515

Logan Structure Fire

MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Structure Fire

Logan, Utah – October 24 2013 – The Logan Fire Department with automatic aid departments responded to a report of a structure fire in a multi-family dwelling located at 430 West 950 North, Logan. The fire was reported by the building’s occupants to 911 at 12:36 am.  The caller stated that he could see flames on the back of the building.   

Upon arrival the fire department found heavy amounts of fire on the back exterior wall.  The fire had extended up the exterior wall and into the attic area of the building. All occupants had evacuated the building with no injuries.  The occupants consisted of 4 families, 8 adults and 5 children.  Red Cross assistance was requested for the families.  

The building sustained significant damage to the rear and attic in all four apartments.  Damage is estimated at $200,000.00  No damage to other structures was reported.  The cause of the fire is under investigation. 

Contact:

Craig Humphreys, Deputy Chief

North Logan Fire Department

2005 North 1200 East

North Logan, Utah 84341

435-757-4841

North Logan Ricin Update 17:45

The samples taken from the basement residence returned positive for ricin. Given the methods used to process the castor beans and the negative samples recovered from the upstairs residence and the ventilation system, it was determined that the threat of contamination to the area outside of the basement is very low. The upstairs residents will be allowed to return this evening and the incident poses no danger to the neighboring houses.

Evidence is still being gathered from the basement. Once that operation is complete, the health department will work with the homeowner to mitigate any residual contamination. The patient remains in the hospital.


Jason Killinen
North Logan Fire Dept.
435-227-5431

North Logan Ricin Incident Update:


The 85th Civil Support Team is finishing up the sampling portion of the operation. The team has taken samples from all areas of the structure. The initial environmental survey shows no signs of ricin in the upper levels of the structure, the results of the basement samples will determine the next actions and the amount of time the investigation is expected to take. Units remain on scene in support of that effort.

During an interview with the patient earlier today, she indicated she got the idea to process ricin from an internet search, there is no reason to believe that the idea came from or is associated with a television show.


Jason Killinen
North Logan Fire Dept.
435-227-5431

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	North Logan FD CONTACT:    Jason Killinen Cell: (435) 227-5431

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE        

Date:   10-3.2013     

                                                                                                                       

Ricin used in attempted suicide in North Logan

At approximately 10 pm, Cache County Dispatch Center received a call from an individual concerned that her cousin may be attempting suicide by ingesting castor beans. Resources responded to the residence indicated by the cousin at a basement apartment in North Logan, UT. During that time, the dispatch center was able to make contact with the patient, at the residence and the patient was transported to the hospital.

“Four residents living above this apartment were evacuated as a precaution. The is no risk for neighbors living near this residence.” Said Chief Hawkes, North Park Police Department. “ The scene had been secured and we are working with our partners locally and statewide to continue clean up of the residence.”

An undetermined number of castor beans were found at the scene. Castor beans are used to make the poison, ricin. Castor beans are processed throughout the world to make castor oil. Ricin is part of the waste “mash” produced when castor oil is made. 

Jason Killinen
Fire Marshal/PIO
North Logan FD
435-227-5431

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Mass Casualty Drill

MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mass Casualty Drill

Logan, Utah – September 29, 2013 – The Logan Fire Department would like to thank all those involved in the mass casualty drill held Saturday, September 28, 2013 at the Logan/Cache Airport.

The drill encompassed an 18 month process culminating in exercising several pre-determined plans to meet the needs of an airplane crash, a mass casualty event, transporting a large number of patients to treatment centers, and reconnecting students with family members.

We simulated 59 patients, 17 with critical injuries, 14 of moderate injuries, 9 with minor injuries and 19 deceased.  The drill involved over 200 people to fill the various roles of responders, evaluators, patients and support staff.

One of the vital lessons learned was the ability to use first responder resources from throughout the valley to assist in the transportation of patients to area hospitals in a mass casualty event.

Other pre-planned elements that were put into practice include the use of transit buses to transport several patients with minor injuries, the ability of Public Information Officers to communicate with the public and the media, USU was able to exercise their Student Services to reunite patients with families, and hospitals abilities to receive multiple patients.

Contact:

Craig Humphreys, Deputy Chief

North Logan Fire Department

2005 North 1200 East

North Logan, Utah 84341

435-757-4841

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Logan Structure Fire

MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Structure Fire

Logan, Utah – September 23, 2013 – The Logan Fire Department with automatic aid departments responded to a report of a structure fire in a manufacturing building located at 1651 North 1000 West, Logan.  The fire was reported by the building’s fire alarm system and a 911 call from an employee at approximately 1:46 am Monday morning. 

Upon arrival the fire department found smoke throughout one of the manufacturing areas of the building.  The fire had been extinguished by the activation of two fire sprinklers.  All employees had evacuated the building prior to the fire department arrival.  One employee was transported to the hospital due to injuries sustained in a fall while evacuating.  

The fire originated in a machine involved in weather sealing parts.  Employees where purging lines as part of shutting down the operation when the fire occurred.  The machine had extensive damage.  Water caused additional damage to ceiling tiles and items on the floor.  Damage is estimated at $80,000.00.  No damage to other structures was reported.

Contact:

Craig Humphreys, Deputy Chief

North Logan Fire Department

2005 North 1200 East

North Logan, Utah 84341

435-757-4841

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North Cottonwood Fire

Hyrum , Utah – September 17, 2013

Fire units from Hyrum, Paradise, Wellsville, Mendon, North Logan, Logan, Smithfield and the Cache County Fire District responded to Black Smith Fork Canyon on a wildland fire. First arriving units reported flames moving up the mountain west of North Cottonwood. Heavy winds and dry fuel aided in the rapid spread of the fire.

Firefighters were able to contain the fire from moving any farther east and were able to stop the fire on the west from damaging camp trailers in the area.

Forest service units along with members of the Logan and the Bonneville hot shot crews arrived on scene to aid in the containment of the fire.

The fire burned roughly 80 acres the cause of the fire is still under investigation at this time.

Hand crews will be on scene today to mop up the hot spots and finish securing the line.

Black Smith Fork Canyon will remain open and will not affect the Top of Utah Marathon this weekend.

Fire Information:

Jason Winn

Fire Marshal

Cache County Fire District

(435) 755-1674 

Media Release

Cache County, Utah - August 16, 2013

7pm Update -- Millville Fire

The fire is approximately 2842 acres and is 30% contained.  Crews worked along the Blacksmith Fork road clearing brush which reduces the fuel load.  This action strengthens the ability to stop any fire activity that approaches the road.  It also facilitates backfire operations if they become necessary. 

 On the ridge between Millville canyon and Blacksmith Fork road crews continued building new line, securing existing line, and taking suppression actions on accessible interior fire.  Helicopters made repeated water drops all day—working at reducing fire activity with the unburned pockets of vegetation near the ridgeline.  Efforts began at constructing  a north/south line between the ridge and the Blacksmith Fork road to stop the eastward fire progression. This is a complex task due to the very steep rugged terrain.  It will take several days to complete and reinforce sufficiently to effectively impede any advance of the fire, especially if winds develop.

The Red Flag Alert remains in effect through 9pm Friday evening.  A fire weather watch has been forecasted for Saturday.  Very low humidity, high temperatures, terrain driven winds along with very dry fuels continue to create extreme fire behavior conditions.   In the type of terrain within the fire’s perimeter aviation resources are critical to effective suppression progress. 
  
A Northern Utah Type 3 Incident Command Team continues managing the incident. 190 personnel are working on the fire, including 6 hand crews, five engines, and 4 helicopters.  Additional Type 1 (Hot Shot) crews and helicopters have been ordered, however they have not been available due to the number of wildfires in the western US. 
  
The mandatory evacuations and road closures are still in effect.   Fire managers and agency officials are periodically monitoring conditions to determine possible alternative options, however any change is not likely without a change in fire conditions.

The evacuation area begins at the mouth of Blacksmiths Fork canyon.  The area does not include any of the subdivisions at the mouth of the canyon.  The highway road block is set up at the intersection of the Hollow road.  The evacuation area extends east to the intersection with the Left Hand Fork road (approximately 6 miles).  The mandatory evacuation also includes the Left Hand Fork Canyon area beginning at the Left Hand Fork road intersection with Blacksmith Fork road and extends to the Gray Cliff springs area (approximately 7 miles). 

The Blacksmiths Fork Canyon road (Hwy 101) remains closed to all nonessential traffic from the intersection with the Hollow road east to the intersection with the Left Hand Fork road.  The Left Hand Fork road is also closed to nonessential traffic.  Hwy 101 is now open from the intersection with the Ant Flat road to the intersection with the Left Hand Fork road.  Access had been restricted between these points since Wednesday evening.  Millville Canyon remains closed. 

Trails in the Left Hand Fork, Richards Hollow, Herd Hollow, and Gray Cliff springs areas are closed.
The Millville Fire started on Sunday morning, August 11, 2013 by lightning.

Fire Information:

Larry Lucas  Fred Noack
801 573-6622  801 690-4081

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Press Release

For Immediate release

Millville Fire

Cache County, Utah August 16, 2013

 Black Smith Fork canyon and Millville canyon will continue to remain closed due to firefighting efforts. Areas in the canyon that will remain closed include Left Hand Fork canyon. People may access areas south of the Hardware Ranch through Monte Cristo and areas north through Logan Canyon. Closure will continue until conditions change.

Jason Winn

Fire Marshal
Cache County Fire District
755-1670

Media Release

For Immediate Release

Cache County, Utah - August 15, 2013
7pm Update -- Millville Fire

Firefighters had a very good day today significantly slowing the spread of the fire.  The fire is approximately 2800 acres and is now 30% contained.

While the windy, low humidity, and high temperatures existed throughout the day, the success was due to the availability and use of aviation resources.  4 air tankers and 3 heavy helicopters worked the fire for most of the day which allowed ground crews to catch up.  Thursday, fire crews worked securing the fire line along the ridge between Millville Canyon and Blacksmiths Fork Canyon as well as the “slop-overs” to the north that occurred yesterday .  In addition crews continued working the Blacksmiths Fork road to insure the fire remained north of the road.
  
A strike team of five fire engines arrived today and will be on line beginning tonight.  While fire managers are pinching the fire towards the intersection of the Blacksmith Fork road and the Left Hand Fork road they plan to find a location and stop the advance well before that point.  Burnout operations will occur when conditions are favorable, largely used to stop the fire’s downslope progression toward the Blacksmith Fork road.   A Northern Utah Type 3 Incident Command Team continues managing the incident. 170 personnel are working on the fire, including five hand crews, five engines, 4 helicopters, and 4 air tankers. 

The mandatory evacuations and road closures will continue until conditions change. The Red Flag alert that has been effect for the past 2 days is now forecasted to continue through most of Friday.  These same conditions contributed to the fire spread which occurred Wednesday which prompted the evacuations. 

The evacuation area begins at the mouth of Blacksmiths Fork canyon.  The area does not include any of the subdivisions at the mouth of the canyon.  The highway road block is set up at the intersection of the Hollow road.  The evacuation area extends east to the intersection with the Left Hand Fork road (approximately 6 miles).  The mandatory evacuation also includes the Left Hand Fork Canyon area beginning at the Left Hand Fork road intersection with Blacksmith Fork road and extends to the Gray Cliff springs area (approximately 7 miles).  The Blacksmiths Fork Canyon road is closed to all nonessential traffic from the intersection with the Hollow road to the Left Hand Fork road.  The Left Hand Fork road is also closed to nonessential traffic.  Millville Canyon remains closed. 

Trails in the Left Hand Fork, Richards Hollow, Herd Hollow, and Gray Cliff springs areas are closed.
A public meeting is scheduled tonight at the Heritage Elementary School gymnasium in Nibley (925 W. 3200 S.) beginning at 8pm.  Fire managers would like to provide an update on the status of the fire and discuss the evacuations that are currently in effect. 

The Millville Fire started on Sunday morning, August 11, 2013 by lightning.

Fire Information:

Larry Lucas  Fred Noack
801 573-6622  801 690-4081

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Mounr Elmer Fire Update

The Mt. Elmer fire is located southeast of Mt. Elmer in the Mt. Naomi Wilderness Area (Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest).  The fire is approximately 10 miles northeast of Logan Utah.  The fire was ignited by  lightning last Friday August 10^th.

The fire exhibited significant smoke today and was easily visible from Logan.

The fire is not staffed at this time due to higher priority fires elsewhere, however the Forest Service is monitoring the fire daily.

Larry Lucas

Tel: 801 573-6622 (lclucas@fs.fed.us)

Millville Fire Update

Late this afternoon the Millville Fire experienced extreme fire activity resulting in a major run (primarily towards the southeast).  Additional acres burned is estimated at 500 to 700 acres.  Mandatory evacuations are in effect for recreationists and residents.  The area evacuation includes Blacksmith Fork Canyon from the Sleepy Hollow Road turnoff at the mouth of the canyon to the intersection with the Left Hand Fork (approximately 6 miles).  The evacuation also includes the Left Hand Fork road from its intersection with the Blacksmiths Fork road to the Grey Cliff Springs area (approximately 7 miles).  The area evacuated is sparsely populated with some full time residents, but mostly weekend homes.  Along Left Hand fork road there are a few residences as well, mostly close to the intersection with the Blacksmiths Fork road.  Camping is popular along the Left Hand Fork road, however because it’s the middle of the week there were relatively few people in the area.  Only traffic essential to the evacuation are authorized on those roads within the evacuation area.

Look for a formal fire update later this evening as additional information is obtained.

Larry Lucas

Tel: 801 573-6622 (lclucas@fs.fed.us)

Media Release

For Immediate Release

Cache County, Utah - August 14, 2013

8 am Update -- Millville Fire

A high wind event Tuesday evening created additional fire spread into unburned areas of fuel on the south end of the fire.  This required additional burnout operations from the Blacksmith’s Fork road.  The burnout successfully removed fuels between the road and the interior of the fire.  The fire remains north of the Blacksmith’ s Fork road.  The fire’s perimeter still remains largely unchanged, approximately 2250 acres has burned and is 20% contained.  The large areas of unburned fuel within the perimeter which creates the potential for spotting and poses a threat to containment is the greatest challenge to fire fighters

.

Wednesday Fire crews will continue to work at securing the southern part of the fire along the Blacksmiths Fork road as well as keeping fire out of interior islands of unburned vegetation within critical drainages near the south and southeast flanks of the fire.  A Red Flag alert will be in effect beginning at 9am today through Thursday.  Due to the increased wind, coupled with the low humidity fire managers anticipate reoccurring spread from the interior similar to what occurred Tuesday evening.

The remaining fire activity is in very steep terrain making fire line construction extremely difficult.    Most of line work can only be effective either on ridge tops and along roads.  The work requires a compliment of helicopter water drops to be the most effective.  A Northern Utah Type 3 Incident Command Team continues managing the incident. 150 personnel are working on the fire, including five hand crews, five engines, 2 helicopters, and 2 air tankers are available.  Due to priorities on other fires in Northern Utah helicopters and air tankers are periodically called away from the fire to support other wildfire incidents. 

Millville Canyon remains closed. The road in Blacksmiths Fork Canyon is open to through traffic only.  People driving up the Blacksmiths Fork road must keep moving and not stop to observe the fire or watch fire-fighting operations.  Additional law enforcement presence will be in place to keep people from pulling off the Blacksmith’s Fork road in order to view the fire.

 The Millville Fire started on Sunday morning, August 11, 2013 by lightning.

 Fire Information:

Larry Lucas

801-573-6622

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Media Release
For Immediate Release


Cache County, Utah - August 13, 2013
6 pm Update -- Millville Fire
Fire crew’s continue to make progress.  Relatively calm winds throughout the day aided firefighting efforts.  The fire’s perimeter remained unchanged, approximately 2250 acres has burned and is 20% contained.  There remains large areas of unburned fuel within the perimeter which creates the potential for spotting and poses a threat to containment.

Fire crews worked primarily at securing the southern part of the fire along the Blacksmiths Fork road as well as keeping fire out of interior islands of unburned vegetation within critical drainages near the south and southeast flanks of the fire.

Most of the remaining fire activity is occurring in very steep terrain making fire line construction difficult.    A Northern Utah Type 3 Incident Command Team continues managing the incident. 150 personnel are working on the fire, including five hand crews, five engines, 2 helicopters, and 2 air tankers. Periodically the helicopters and air tankers are called away from the fire to support other wildfire incidents in the area.

The structure protection plan for the Chokecherry Subdivision will not be in effect Tuesday night as the threat has been significantly mitigated, however firefighters will continue to periodically patrol the area.

Millville Canyon remains closed. The road in Blacksmiths Fork Canyon is open to through traffic only.  People driving up the Blacksmiths Fork road must keep moving and not stop to observe the fire or watch fire-fighting operations. 
The Millville Fire started on Sunday morning, August 11, 2013 by lightning. 

Fire Information:
Larry Lucas
801-573-6622
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