Green Island Fire
On October 8, 2017 at 2:38 PM, crews were dispatched to a reported vegetation fire. Engine 411 arrived on scene and found a fire that involved vegetation and autos within an auto salvage yard. Engine 411 initiated an offensive attack on the fire until the wind abruptly shifted from the south to a strong wind from the north (the same wind event that caused the 2017 fire storm). This wind shift immediately pushed smoke and fire back onto E411 and the crew causing the Captain to order an immediate withdrawal to a safer area (it was necessary to transition from an offensive to a defensive fire attack).
Incident Command called for mutual aid from surrounding departments including Vallejo, Napa City, Napa County, City of St. Helena, Cordelia and Glen Ellen VFD as the fire rapidly spread involving the majority of the salvage yard which contained approximately 1500 autos. Valero Fire Brigade also provided mutual aid assistance with their specialized class B foam unit. Cal Fire helicopters made several water drops on the fire to assist with containment before being reassigned to other higher priority incidents.
The fire operation was completed at approximately 2 AM. Prior to completion of this incident it was necessary for the Incident Commander to release as many resources as possible to respond to the fire storm that erupted to the north. Two residential structures were also lost in this fire but fortunately there were no injuries.
