Southwest Valley officials warn of dangers from river water, brush fire

Jackee Coe

Southwest Valley fire officials are warning residents of brush fire and river water dangers as the weather warms up.

Be smart about using fire because vegetation that has grown from the rain this year will dry out as temperatures rise, making them easy fuel for brush fires.

Stay away from rivers as water runoff from the north increases the rivers' flow and makes them more dangerous.

Recent rains have brought water into dry area rivers, including the Salt, Gila and Agua Fria rivers. Water levels will keep rising with the runoff caused from snow melting on mountains up north.

Avondale, who has one out of a handful of technical rescue trucks in the Valley, has done "quite a few more" water rescues this year than in previous years, fire Capt. Robert Angel said.

"Because the water is flowing and we (typically) don't get it, you've got the normal people crossing in their cars, but now we're starting to see . . . some of the more recreational uses, the 'It's there, it looks good, I've watched it for several weeks, let's go play!' " he said.

Just because water has been flowing in the rivers for a while doesn't mean it's safe now. On the contrary, the flow will continue to increase as water runoff increases, Angel said.

Avondale's technical rescue truck has equipment for a multitude of situations, including trench, building collapse and high-angle rescues.

Water hazards

For water rescues, Avondale has life preservers, helmets, water boots, gloves, water vests, rope throw bags, rope and an inflatable boat. Firefighters use personal wetsuits, flippers and other equipment.

"Water is the one nemesis that's the hardest to overcome," Angel said. "Where the person or persons have gotten themselves becomes the challenge."

The most challenging part of conducting a water rescue is the water itself because it's constantly changing, so there isn't always an easy way to reach the person or persons stuck in the water, he said.

"Normally, we can take an operation and kind of take control of it, even a house fire. We're going to make a plan, we're going to surround this thing and we're going to attack it strategically," Angel said. "Water, we make our plan, but that water is constantly moving. We never know what's coming at us."

The best thing to do is stay out of the water altogether.

"This isn't your normal Colorado River that's predictable. . . . This is something that normally has no water, so now you've got debris, so even an experienced kayaker cannot overcome a tree floating down the river," Angel said. "It's just very unpredictable, so enjoy it from afar."

Fire hazards

Warmer temperatures also increase risks of wildland fires. Much of the greenery that has sprouted up from the rains will dry out as temperatures rise and become prime "fuel" for brush fires, said Goodyear fire Capt. Nick Lyons, wildland coordinator.

"You always have the potential for big fires down here because we have the heat (and) because we have the river bottom," he said. "Sometimes they get dense and especially down here between Goodyear and Avondale, down in Tres Rios area, there's a lot of fuel, a lot of trees, a lot of salt cedars and brush. And when you get the right time of day, the right weather, there's a potential for a lot of fire."

Firefighters on Goodyear's Wildland Deployment Team participated in a two-day wildfire-training session at Lake Pleasant last week to prepare for the potentially dangerous season. Goodyear's team is part of the Central Arizona Wildland Response Team, which deploys statewide and to nearby states that need help fighting wildfires, Lyons said.

Fires can start from natural causes, such as a lightening strike or wind knocking down power lines. People start fires by flicking cigarette butts out the window, not managing campfires or while riding all-terrain vehicles in the desert, Lyons said.

To protect their homes from brush fires, residents should clean up trash, weeds, tumbleweeds and other debris in their yard and surrounding area.

"If there's anybody in danger, we're going to risk a lot and we'll do everything we can to save (them), and then we'll do whatever we can to protect property," Lyons said. "It really helps out a bunch when the homeowner has done some work beforehand just to kind of clear out the area."

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Source: http://www.azcentral.com/community/swvalley/articles/2010/04/08/20100408arizona-water-brush-fire-dangers.html

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