'Ranger Bill' to rebuild after fire
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March 3, 2014 |
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Bill McIntosh, known as "Ranger Bill" by many
for his years working with the U.S. Forest
Service part time keeping up the Snyder Guard
Station, doesn't yet know how, but he says he is
planning to rebuild after fire destroyed his
Camp Nine home Friday.
The fire, which started in the kitchen, was
reported at 11:35 a.m. Friday at 209 Camp Nine
Road, and personnel from four departments did
their best to save what they could, but the
home, an old barn that had been converted into a
residence, was heavily involved by the time
North Bench crews arrived on scene, and vehicles
parked in the way further hampered responders.
Because of the time of the fire, most fire crew
members were at work when the call sounded,
which slowed response time somewhat as well. But
rumors that spread quickly on Facebook in the
wake of the fire that apparatus arriving first
on scene came without water to fight the blaze
were absolutely false, said North Bench Fire
Chief Gus Jackson, who directed the firefighting
effort.
"Our main engine, the first to arrive, carried
five hundred gallons plus foam, which doubles
the effectiveness of water alone," he said. The
second unit to arrive, a North Bench water
tender that wasn't too far behind, carried an
additional 1,500 gallons of water.
Mutual aid requests went out soon after the
fight was underway, and firefighters and
equipment from Hall Mountain, South Boundary and
Paradise Valley all responded.
In all, 15 firefighters, working in shifts,
spent much of the day on scene, spraying over
34,000 gallons of water, taking 15 trips by
water tenders, but even with full crews and more
apparatus, the outcome would likely have been
the same due to the age and dryness of much of
the wood making up the home.
Crews were unable to use area water lines or
hydrants because of distance and the fact that
bringing them into play would have completely
shut down traffic.
"We gave it all we had," Jackson said.
"Unfortunately, saving the home wasn't in the
cards."
Bill was alone at home when the fire broke out;
his son, who is usually with him, was
hospitalized for a serious medical condition
days before the fire. Bill's faithful dog made
it safely out of the home, but his four cats
have yet to be found.
"I'm sure they're somewhere close by," Jackson
said, "as cats are typically the first out.
We're hoping they'll turn up."
Unfortunately, Bill had no insurance to cover
the loss of his home, and he's temporarily
staying with a neighbor and receiving help from
the Red Cross. He met with Chief Jackson today,
looking over the ruins and saying he'd hang on,
somehow, until the weather turns and he can
clear out the debris and start rebuilding.
"He's focusing on his son, and in hanging on
until spring," Jackson said.
While the fire is out now, members of the North
Bench Volunteer Fire District, their numbers
seriously depleted by so many leaving the area
for work, haven't stopped. On Monday, Gus and
his crew members not at work will be making up
and delivering donation cans to many Three Mile
area businesses; a bank account is to be
established to help Bill at Mountain West Bank,
enabling those who'd like to help "Ranger Bill"
to donate at any branch.
"He said the Red Cross is giving him vouchers
for clothes and other immediate needs," Jackson
said, "what he really needs is money to get him
through the winter and help him begin
rebuilding."
The exact cause of the fire is undetermined, but
Jackson said there is no sign of any foul play.
He said he's meeting with Bill again tomorrow,
in part to find out more how the department, and
community, can help.
"We don't usually go to these lengths after a
fire," he said, "but this is one of those
situations you can't just walk away from. We're
his neighbors, too." |
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