Photo: CAFMA and PFD crews fight fully involved house fire in Prescott Valley.
On April 11, 2023, at approximately 3:00 p.m., crews from the Central Arizona Fire and Medical Authority (CAFMA) and Prescott Fire Department (PFD) responded to a structure fire on the 4700 block of Ocotillo Drive in Prescott Valley, Arizona.
First-arriving crews found a fully involved house fire with multiple exposures, as well as associated spot fires in the nearby brush. The responding CAFMA Battalion Chief immediately requested a second alarm, bringing additional fire engines and Command Staff to the scene. Crews secured water from nearby hydrants and were able to achieve a quick knock-down.
The residence and three vehicles were not savable; however, the initial attack stopped forward progress, protecting nearby homes from being destroyed in the fire. CAFMA crews remained on scene in the evening and returned the following morning to check for hot spots. Approximately 40 firefighters worked the incident; there were no reported injuries to residents or emergency personnel.
The crew of the first-arriving engine, CAFMA Engine 58, were also able to safely assist the homeowner with retrieval of family valuables.
It was determined that the cause of the fire was discarded smoking material.
“It is always a good time to make sure that all smoking materials are properly discarded,” said CAFMA Fire Marshal Darrell Tirpak.
CAFMA would like to thank the Prescott Valley Police Department for rapidly evacuating homeowners on all three sides and securing the scene. The organization is also grateful for joint cooperation with APS, UniSource, the Arizona Crisis Team (ACT), the American Red Cross, Priority Ambulance, Life Line Ambulance, and the Prescott Valley Building Department.
