Fire smolders at burnt out Paulden home
Officials urge care in extreme fire conditions
CVFD firefighter Darrell Buntin rolls up a hose after dousing a small fire in Paulden Monday morning. This was the second fire at that location, following a fire April 5 that destroyed the home and the third fire since Jan. for the property owner.
Review/Matt Santos
Matt Santos
Reporter
Chino Valley Fire District personnel responded to a report of a structure fire on Robin Drive in Paulden at about 8:45 a.m. Monday, the same address that was the scene of a fire on April 5 of this year.
Monday’s call was the third for the Paulden homeowner, who also lost a home two blocks away on Abra Drive Jan. 23.
“We don’t have a cause of today’s fire, but it looks like nobody was home,” said CVFD chief John Ginn.
According to the firefighters on scene, Mondays fire appeared to have been started by someone using a cutting torch during the weekend to clear the debris left over from the April fire.
Ginn said the CVFD also responded to grass fire this past Sunday, and a small grass fire on Saturday that was started by a child playing with matches.
“Any open flame, welding, torches, even briquette barbeques are illegal under our current county fire ban,” said Ginn. “Businesses can apply for a waiver through the county, but for the most part it’s just not allowed. The only flame that’s really allowed is a gas barbeque grill.”
Ginn warned that any activity or tools that generate heat could pose a danger and property owners should also be aware of fuels that could invite tragedy.
“We responded to a fire on June 23 that was started by a man using a grinding wheel, and the sparks ignited dried grass, traveling to the house next door,” said Ginn. “Until we get some significant rain, we all have to be careful. Clearing a 15 to 20 foot area around your home and structures is really important.”
Information on county fire bans is available by visiting www.regionalinfo-alert.org, calling the Yavapai County Office of Emergency Management at 928-771-3321, or contacting the CVFD at 928-636-2442.
