Tier II Grass Fire Burns on Communications Hill

   

Photo by Juan Diaz

On Sunday, July, 1 shortly after 5:00 P.M., the San Jose Fire Department received reports of a football field-size brush fire on the Highway 87 side of Communications Hill, in south San Jose. San Jose dispatched a Tier I with arriving units staging at Canoas Garden Avenue and Sands Drive, awaiting proper access determination.
 
Enroute, B13 Juan Diaz called a Tier II due to structures being threatened, and requested Fire Associates to the scene - FASCV being dispatched at 5:15 P.M. John Whiteside, on hearing the initial dispatch sent to the south side of Communications Hill, began starting toward SJ Station 35 to drive FSU 3. He called Don Gilbert, who was just starting out to SJ Station 6 to drive FSU 2. Due to the fire location, it was decided two FSUs might be needed.

Photo by Juan Diaz

    
John and Don departed the stations about 5:17 P.M. and arrived at staging a few minutes later. The FSUs were directed to drive up Carol Drive to the top of Communications Hill. John was assigned to cover the crews working just below the crest of the hill while Don set up in the parking lot next to County Communications. The temperature was in the low 80s with wind. So, lemonade, CLIF bars, bottled water and Gatorade were provided. The FSUs were released about 7:00 P.M. and returned to their home stations.
 
A couple of acres burned in a flat area on the southwest side near the top of the hill along Carol Drive. The location provided a clear, fantastic view of the Santa Clara Valley!

• A San Jose Mercury News story can be read at:  Communications Hill Fire

    

-- Report Submitted by John Whiteside