SAN JUAN COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT #2 (ORCAS ISLAND)

Light in the northern sky

Article and photos contributed by Capt. Max Jones
Public Safety & Education Division
Orcas Island Fire Dept.

The sky over Patos Island was lit up Friday night (Nov. 18) with an unusual training exercise.

posted 11/22/05
The Bureau of Land Management, who recently gained possession of Patos Island, contracted with the Orcas Island Fire Department to remove the Coast Guard Station crew quarters. The Patos Lighthouse was established in 1893 and was automated in 1974. The 3300 square foot wood frame one story triplex, which had been built in the 60’s was subsequently abandoned. Typical winter weather and roof damage caused the building to become a serious safety hazard.

When contacted by the BLM, the Orcas Island Fire Department jumped at the chance for additional fire training. Although the building was unsafe for interior fire operations, it was a valuable fire behavior and wildland fire training opportunity.

The BLM cleared much of the heavy vegetation from around the building throughout the summer and then worked with the fire department to create and fund the building removal. The window for this project was very limited - after the danger for wildland fires, after tourist season, and before eagle nesting season, plus the factoring of tidal considerations and weather - leaving only October thru December of this year.

Orcas Fire contracted with Pintail Inc., a landing craft service from Roche Harbor, to transport an Orcas Construction Company’s excavator , the district’s 4-wheel drive Brush Truck 21 with full compliment of tools and 300 gallons of water plus a 4-wheel drive pick-up for additional gear to Patos for the exercise. Washington State Parks and Sheriff Bill Cummings transported district members, gear and equipment by boat to the island.

Firefighters began arriving arrived on Friday at 10 a.m. to start the careful preparation for the actual burn. Every precaution was taken to insure the building was completely removed without further damage to the surrounding land. 18 district members worked together with excavator operator Jason Madeiros (also a firefighter) to prep the site, prepare the building and set-up training/burn operations for the event.

The Orcas Island Fire Department stayed on site overnight and the event went off without a problem. The training began at dark to take advantage of the high humidity and low winds minimizing any possible fire spread. Both the Coast Guard and Sheriff’s dispatch had been notified of the planned burn to reassure the public.

The building was gone to the foundation by dawn as planned. Then Jason went about the process of carefully cleaning, leveling the site and working towards the goal of returning the island back to the way the first settlers may have found it.

The site will be seeded with natural grasses/vegetation, leaving only the Patos Light House standing as a reminder of the island’s colorful history.

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