Update: East Fork firefighters union takes issue with tender claim

A fire in a shed at the top of Stephanie Way on Wednesday evening was visible from Highway 395.

East Fork firefighters responded to the fire in what was described as a 144-square-foot structure 6:45 p.m. on Lindsay Lane.

Complicated by 20 mph wind gusts, the flames were spreading when deputies arrived on scene.

“East Fork Fire District units used an aggressive attack to suppress the fire which destroyed a shed and some other personal items,” Battalion Chief John Brawley said. “The fire was in an area with no fire hydrants and three volunteer fire stations supported the suppression efforts.”

In a Facebook post related to the incident, East Fork Professional Firefighters Association Union President Kevin May said on social media that the tenders were secondary in extinguishing the fire.

“We would say staffed stations, staffed fire engines, and relentless training by career staff made the difference,” he said. “Water tenders definitely helped support that.”

When contacted about the posting, one of the Professional Firefighters association members said the paid fire fighters were the sole reason the house wasn’t lost.

“The only reason these people did not lose their house and everything else they own was because of paid firefighters being there so quickly,” a spokesman for the association said. “And once on scene being very efficient and effective with tactics and resources.”

Gardnerville, Genoa and Johnson Lane volunteers brought tenders to provide firefighting water.

The blaze spread to a boat and into the wildland, while threatening the home.

East Fork Fire District responded with three engines, two ambulances, three water tenders, a squad, training-safety captain, battalion chief, and deputy chief for a total of 21 personnel.

Firefighters reported the loss was stopped by 7:10 p.m. but spent three hours on scene mopping up.

Mutual aid was provided by a Tahoe Douglas Fire District fire engine. “The East Fork Fire Protection District would like to remind everyone to fully extinguish recreational fires and burn piles,” Brawley said on Friday.

A fire in a shed at the top of Stephanie Way on Wednesday evening was visible from Highway 395.

East Fork firefighters responded to the fire in what was described as a 144-square-foot structure 6:45 p.m. on Lindsay Lane.

Complicated by 20 mph wind gusts, the flames were spreading when deputies arrived on scene.

“East Fork Fire District units used an aggressive attack to suppress the fire which destroyed a shed and some other personal items,” Battalion Chief John Brawley said. “The fire was in an area with no fire hydrants and three volunteer fire stations supported the suppression efforts.”

Gardnerville, Genoa and Johnson Lane volunteers brought tenders to provide firefighting water.

The blaze spread to a boat and into the wildland, while threatening the home.

East Fork Fire District responded with three engines, two ambulances, three water tenders, a squad, training-safety captain, battalion chief, and deputy chief for a total of 21 personnel.

Firefighters reported the loss was stopped by 7:10 p.m. but spent three hours on scene mopping up.

Mutual aid was provided by a Tahoe Douglas Fire District fire engine. “The East Fork Fire Protection District would like to remind everyone to fully extinguish recreational fires and burn piles,” Brawley said on Friday.