Early Morning Fire Hits the New Years

Chico Fire engineer Chuck Fry (left) and firefighter Craig Cox (right) carry out debris as they respond with Cal Fire - Butte County to a structure fire along E. 7th St. Saturday, January 5, 2013 in Chico, Calif. The fire was quickly put out and no injuries reported.
(Jason Halley/Enterprise-Record)

When Fire Strikes Back

Firefighting is a dangerous job. We photographers make it look spectacular, but the reality is that firefighters face injury every event they encounter. One firefighter was lucky enough to just be treated as a precaution due to heat related injuries when battling a fire at a home along the 1400 block of Chestnut St. Chico Fire has setup a monitoring station with paramedics on scene at any big fire. It keeps their vitals in check and that is a good to keep them healthy. 

Chico Fire Ken Smith (left) and Cal Fire - Butte County firefighter Spencer Mallinger (right) battle a residential structure fire at 1488 Chestnut St. Wednesday, August 8, 2012 in Chico, Calif. 

(Jason Halley /Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Fire firefighter Mike Velazquez is treated for heat related illness as firefighters and Cal Fire - Butte County battle a residential structure fire at 1488 Chestnut St. Wednesday, August 8, 2012 in Chico, Calif. 

(Jason Halley /Chico Enterprise-Record)

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Best Camera for the Job

The other day I photographed a small 2 acre fire in north Chico. While covering the fire, I photographed a firefighter putting out hotspots with both my Canon 5D mark ii and my iPhone 4S. I used my iPhone so I could send a photo back to the office immediately. I am amazed at how far camera technology has come. What used to be a high-end big money camera system can now be carried in your pocket. I am waiting for the technology in cell phones to be adapted into DSLRs.

Don't jump on me quite yet. I still find a big difference in the quality between the optics of both devices. However, it doesn't mean that the cell phone can pack a punch. What do you think? Here are two photographs, shot with two cameras near the same time and conditions. Which do you prefer? I'm a little partial to the iPhone. Not just in image quality, but also because it was posted and shared to Facebook before I even got to my car.

I told a photographer earlier in the day that the cell phone technology WILL be the future. I just hope it comes soon, because it really is fun.

Cal Fire- Butte County firefighter Joshpae White hoses down hotspots on a small 2 acre fire along Heganridge Rd Friday, May 18, 2012 in north Chico, Calif. Firefighter quickly contained the grass fire that had no immediate danger to structures. Cause is under investigation.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Cal Fire- Butte County firefighter Joshpae White hoses down hotspots on a small 2 acre fire along Heganridge Rd Friday, May 18, 2012 in north Chico, Calif. Firefighter quickly contained the grass fire that had no immediate danger to structures. Cause is under investigation.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

So do you know which was shot with a DSLR and which with a iPhone? Which do you prefer?

Chico Enterprise-Record Best of 2011

Chico High's #5 Trevon Reid (left) and others pour a bucket of Gatorade on head coach Jason Alvistur (right) on a victory against Pleasant Valley High in the fourth quarter during their Almond Bowl XLI football game at CSUC University Stadium Friday, October 21, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Blue Oak 6th grade teacher Shannon O'Laughlin (third from left) consoles her students Simone Gustafson, 12, Veronica Lee, 11, Samantha Orneallas, 11, and Piper Mitchell, 11 (left to right) who embrace each other after they were caught up in the emotion with the Chico Unified School Board voting for an extension to Blue Oak Charter School for an additional 2 year plan during a school board meeting at PVHS library on Wednesday, April 6, 2011 in Chico, Calif. 

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

A slow exposure shows the movement of incoming Chico State freshmen students as they are welcomed to CSUC campus as they walk through Meriam Library during a Wildcat Welcome event and Wrectacular at the Wrec Center Friday, August 19, 2011 in Chico, Calif. 

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Lightning strikes and rain falls over north Chico as seen from Upper Park  as a thunder and hail storm blew through the area creating havoc and power outages Wednesday, October 5, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico High's #10 Lauren Kaminski (left) watches #7 Alex Barney (center) be lifted by #9 Hannah Wagner and #12 Tori Williams (left to right) as they  celebrate their win against Red Bluff High in the bottom of the eighth inning during their Division II Northern Section softball championship game at Haines Field at CHS Saturday, May 21, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Cal Fire - Butte County firefighters John Sylvia (left) and Keith Mapes (right) fight a structure fire that gave way to vegetation in the area surrounding the Honey Run Covered Bridge along Honey Run Rd., starting just after 1 p.m.Saturday, September 10, 2011 in Butte Creek Canyon, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico High's head coach Jason Alvister (bottom) argues to umpires for a call to be made on what he felt was a late hit on Trevon Reid against Paradise High in the second quarter of their football game at PVHS Asgard Yard Friday, September 30, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

James Favilla, 7 (right) waves a foam finger as he watches Chico Outlaws against Calgary Vipers in the top of the eighth inning during their baseball game at Nettleton Stadium Saturday, June 18, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Nearby residents Mitch Shute (left) and brother Travis Shute (right) use an extinguisher and shovel to help put out flames in an empty lot prior to the arrival of Chico Firefighters near 194 Panama Ave Thursday, June 16, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Douangchai Price, 23 (left) and Adam Price, 23 (right) spin upside-down as they ride the Ring of Fire as people enjoy attractions at the Silver Dollar Fair Friday, May 27, 2011 in Chico, Calif. 

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Sycamore Tree Cut Down After Fire

A sycamore tree in Lower Bidwell Park caught on fire a while ago and tree crews were sent out the next day to cut the tree down. It was a tree that I had past by many times as I walked through the park and was sad to see it go. Another tree had fallen recently in a storm. These two trees were dominant structures that have recently left the scenery of the park. It is interesting to see the changes that occur over the years. I was able to shoot a short video of the tree cutting too.

Chico Firefighter Gina Osburn hoses down hotspots in a sycamore tree that caught on fire in Lower Bidwell Park Wednesday, April 20, 2011 in Chico Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Etchings on the side on the trunk as a tree crew from Richards Tree Service cut down a sycamore tree in Lower Bidwell Park Wednesday, April 27, 2011 in Chico Calif. Due to public safety concerns, the tree was taken down after the interior was burned in a fire the previous week.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Arborist Andrew Boger chainsaws the trunk as a tree crew from Richards Tree Service cut down a sycamore tree in Lower Bidwell Park Wednesday, April 27, 2011 in Chico Calif. Due to public safety concerns, the tree was taken down after the interior was burned in a fire the previous week.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Arborist Andrew Boger looks over the fallen tree as a tree crew from Richards Tree Service cut down a sycamore tree in Lower Bidwell Park Wednesday, April 27, 2011 in Chico Calif. Due to public safety concerns, the tree was taken down after the interior was burned in a fire the previous week.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Titian Trombetti (left) and Michael Beckmann (right) wrap a cable around a tree limb as a tree crew from Richards Tree Service cut down a sycamore tree in Lower Bidwell Park Wednesday, April 27, 2011 in Chico Calif. Due to public safety concerns, the tree was taken down after the interior was burned in a fire the previous week.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Arborist Andrew Boger chainsaws the trunk as a tree crew from Richards Tree Service cut down a sycamore tree in Lower Bidwell Park Wednesday, April 27, 2011 in Chico Calif. Due to public safety concerns, the tree was taken down after the interior was burned in a fire the previous week.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

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Black Dog in Black Burned Building

How do you photograph a black dog in a dark black charred burned building? Just like everything else. You just won't be able to see the dog camouflaged in the ashes.

The other day a fire broke out at an apartment complex in Oroville. One unit was burned entirely and the investigation to the cause began. Fire investigator Marnie Gedney used her accelerant detection canine Roxy to sniff out any accelerants that might have been around to speed up the fire's destruction. Roxy is a black lab and pretty much camouflages completely within the charred ashes of the fire. It is an interesting image that was taken because you can see the destruction very easily, but the true investigator, Roxy is very hard to see.

Oroville Fire department fire engineer/fire investigator Marnie Gedney (left) uses her accelerant detection canine Roxy to sniff for any accelerants inside a unit that was destroyed by a fire in the Bunny's Leisure Apartment at 790 Montgomery St. Wednesday, January 19, 2011 in Oroville, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

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Email me at propixelographer@gmail.com

Fire Damages Home

A fire completely destroyed a home in north Chico today. I unfortunately was at the Polar Bear Swim when the incident was called out. I didn't know it was going to be a big fire. I couldn't leave the Polar Bear Swim right away, being that it was about to start soon. I tried to listen to my scanner hoping it was nothing, but didn't hear any chatter. I figured nothing ever came of the first response. It wasn't until the fire had already been put out and engines were being released that I realized something serious had happened. I headed over to the scene hoping there was still firefighters at the scene. To my luck they were still there and I was able to get a nice picture of a firefighter hosing down the hotspots in the walls. The slower shutter speed gave the image a nice look, even though I was quite late to the incident. It just goes to show that I can't be in two places at once.

Cal Fire - Butte County volunteer firefighter Eric Pittman from station 42 hoses down hotspots at the scene of a fire that burned down a home on Meridian Rd Saturday, January 1, 2011 in Chico, Calif. The 3 residents were not home at the time of the fire that began around 12:40pm and fully engulfed the home by the time the first engine arrived. The landlord, had not been accounted for at the time, but is not believed to have been home either. The home had no electrical or heat source and the cause is under investigation. The fire was reported by neighbors and burned an approximate 1200 sq. ft home as total loss.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Fire Not Much For Firefighters

A small blaze sparked along the bike path between Caper Acres and Big Chico Creek. Firefighters were quick to respond to the blaze which burned only about a half acre. I was lucky enough to respond quickly in time to catch crews still hosing down hot spots. It is pretty rare to get this type of blaze so low in Lower Bidwell Park. But it does happen. Luckily no serious damage was done.

Chico FIrefighter Jim Lucanic hoses down the perimeter of a small fire just under an 1/2 acre in size along the bike path between Caper Acres and Big Chico Creek in Lower Bidwell Park on Tuesday, August 3, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Quick! Before The Flames Go Out

    Sometimes I feel weird thinking that I wish wildfires lasted longer. But I would be lying if I said I wished they would put the fires out fast. While most nearby residences to fire scenes wish for a fast reaction to the fire, I wish firefighters weren't so fast. City of Chico Fire has a response time of just over 4 minutes. This means I have about 4 minutes to arrive on scene before they put the fire out. Cal Fire - Butte County response time can be a little longer, but they are just as quick if you compare response area. 

    Firefighters get on scene quick, and I have to be quick as well to get there while the action is hot. I unfortunately still have to abide by the speed limit and light signals. I do wish I could have a siren and light bar on my car, but that might get me into more trouble than good. Looks like I just have to be quick on my toes. 

    That being said, I really do not wish for fires to last long enough to cause serious damage to life or property, just long enough to see some flames. And on another note, I do appreciate the speed of firefighters. I hope those firefighters reading this won't take their time getting to my house if it were to catch on fire. I guess I just need to step up my game.

  

Cal Fire Butte County Firefighters Chris Taylor (left) and David Fredrickson (right), both from Vina Helitack 205 watch Vina Helitack 205 helicopter dump a bucket of water as they battle alongside Paradise Fire to attack a small vegitation fire just after 12:30pm along the north side of Skyway just south of Lookout Point that burned a little more than an acre on Friday, July 16, 2010 in Chico, Calif. Traffic was closed to one lane while crews battled the blaze. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Paradise Firefighter Chris Clow (left) and Capt John Singler (right) attack a small vegitation fire with Cal Fire-Butte County just after 12:30pm along the north side of Skyway just south of Lookout Point that burned a little more than an acre on Friday, July 16, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Cal Fire Butte County Vina Helitack 205 helicopter drops water buckets to help Paradise Fire attack a small vegitation fire Friday. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Cal Fire Butte County Fire Capt. Dennis Cobb, from Vina Helitack 205 rakes up a hotspot at a small vegitation fire Friday, July 16, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

A small fire burns after a vegitation fire ignited along the north side of Skyway just south of Lookout Point Friday, July 16, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

South Chico House Fire

When a home located along E. 12th St. near Locust St. caught on fire, we quickly went out to cover it. All of us photographers were out there on scene. The day was fairly quiet until the fire broke out. Flames quickly blasted through the roof as firefighters knocked down the fire. Luckily no one was injured at the time. There has been a lot of residential fires recently. This is a pattern I hope slows down as we head into the county fire season.

Chico Fire Department Capt. Dave Main stands by a venting hole in the roof of a house at 269 E. 12th Street on Thursday. The fire was quickly contained, but most of the home's contents were destroyed. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

At approximately 3:10 p.m., city of Chico firefighters responded to a house fire at 269 E. 12th Street, after receiving a report from the resident that the home was on fire. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Passerby's and neighbors watch the City of Chico firefighters respond to a house fire at 269 E. 12th Street, after receiving a report from the resident that the home was on fire. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

A neighbor hoses a nearby structure as City of Chico firefighters responded to a house fire at 269 E. 12th Street, after receiving a report from the resident that the home was on fire. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Resident Samantha Perry and her daughter Penelope Strausbaugh watch as crews battle a fire at their home on Thursday. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico fire Capt. Ray Silverman is covered with small debris from a house fire on East 12th Street near Locust Street in Chico on Thurs., June 17. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

It's Gonna Be A Long Fire Season

   With the number of wildfires that have already been cooking up in the county, firefighters will have their crews busy. And I will be kept plenty busy as well. A small vegetation fire broke out along The Skyway near Skyway Crossroads Rd. Wednesday evening. A car had pulled off the road as her car overheated. The car burst into flames igniting the nearby grass. The fire quickly spread as firefighters made their way to the scene.

Cal Fire - Butte County firefighter Anthony Brown, of station 65 out of Bangor, hoses down hot spots as Paradise Fire respond to a wildfire that broke out after a driver's car overheated on the Skyway near Skyway Crossroads Rd. burning about 2 acres and coming close to homes Wednesday, June 16, 2010 in Paradise, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

A firefighter walks through the thick smoke as they respond to a wildfire that broke out after a driver's car overheated on the Skyway near Skyway Crossroads Rd. burning about 2 acres and coming close to homes Wednesday, June 16, 2010 in Paradise, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

    It took me a while to get to the scene because of all the traffic that had backed up on the Skyway. The cars were moving, but moving slowly. I didn't get a fast jump on heading out to cover the incident, and thus got caught behind. I eventually made it up, and thankfully was able to pull over near the scene without having to walk very far. 

The driver of the vehicle (left), whom wouldn't give her name talks on her cell phone as firefighters respond to a wildfire started from her car that overheated on the Skyway near Skyway Crossroads Rd. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

A small piece of bark continues to burn in a small wildfire about 2 acres and coming close to homes Wednesday, June 16, 2010 in Paradise, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

    I immediately ran to a firefighter who was putting out hot spots as firefighters were able to quickly maintain the blaze. I jump on scene so quickly, that I forgot to grab my nomex gear. I snapped a couple shots and went back to my car to put on my gear. Crews were OK with me walking around the perimeter, but I needed my fire gear to get closer. Also the smoke was very thick and it helped to grab a mask to not breathe in the toxic fumes. 

After covering the scene I snapped a self-portrait in my fire gear and a mask that really came in handy with the thick smoke Wednesday, June 16, 2010 in Paradise, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Cal Fire - Butte County firefighter Chad Porter puts out hot spots in a wildfire that broke out Wednesday, June 16, 2010 in Paradise, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Cal Fire Vina Helitack 205 helicopter drops water as Butte County and Paradise Volunteer Firefighter Erick Sill (bottom) respond to a wildfire that broke out after a driver's car overheated on the Skyway near Skyway Crossroads Rd. burning about 2 acres and coming close to homes Wednesday, June 16, 2010 in Paradise, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

    I was able to find a variety of shots on this small fire that was contained to just about 2 acres. There was more of a scare than a real threat. Fire crews from Cal Fire-Butte County and Paradise Fire were able to knock down the threat pretty quickly. While walking around the terrain, I managed to find a pretty thick mud puddle where I almost lost my shoe. I'm sure the fire wouldn't have been able to get through the mud as it was very thick.

A took a shot of my foot in a mud puddle next to my footprint about 2-3 inches deep as I covered a small wildfire Wednesday, June 16, 2010 in Paradise, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

    The fire brought back some memories of the Humboldt Fire that came through the Paradise area in 2008. Though it was no where near size or intensity, the location alone was enough to bring back those memories. It will be interesting how the year pans out for firefighters. I tend to get excited when a fire roars through, I just hope it is a safe fire... if there is such a thing.

Fence Fire Preps Me For The Season

As temperatures rise, so do the number of fire incidents. Fire season is around the corner. And while this mostly means a rise in vegetation and wild land fires, I was able to get a prep fire workout on an apartment complex. It was a small fire that caused quite an amount of damage.It has been a while since I have covered a real tense fire scene. Which is not a bad thing, just a boring thing. The thick smell of toxic smoke filled the area and it was believed the fire was started by young kids playing near the fence. It just is a little reminder of what is to come over the next couple of months.

Chico Firefighter Mike Velazquez hoses down a small fire on a fence and shed at an apartment complex on Columbus Ave. on Saturday, June 12, 2010 in Chico, Calif. It was believed to have been started by kids. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Flames are seen still smoldering from a fire on a fence at an apartment complex on Columbus Ave. on Saturday, June 12, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

FFA Contest Sets a Spark

I love welding. I know nothing about it, I just love to photograph it. It is like a small fireworks show right in front of your face, and who doesn't like fireworks?!? God Bless America! This afternoon I had the opportunity to head out to the Chico State University Farm to photograph a Future Farmers of America (FFA) contest put on by the college. It was nice to get up close to the sparks and snap some shots. 

Alex Marsh, of Arbuckle FFA, (left) conducts gas welding for the test in the Ag Mechanics testing area as hundreds of FFA students test their skills during the FFA Field Day at CSUC University Farm Saturday, March 13, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Sparks fly from a contestants gas welding for the test in the Ag Mechanics testing area as hundreds of FFA students test their skills during the FFA Field Day at CSUC University Farm Saturday, March 13, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Regency Inn Fire Aftermath

I can't say that Wednesday was all boring with forums and workshops. I did have an interesting assignment to cover the aftermath of a early morning fire at the Regency Inn along the Esplanade. The fire broke out a little after midnight and destroyed one room and damage nearby rooms as well. Because the newspaper has been short staffed over the years due to economic issues, we don't always hear about fires late and early into the morning. I would keep a scanner to the ear, but I don't think that would be very nice to do to my wife. Besides, I do need the sleep. The best we can do is head out the next day and cover the remains of the scene.


Fire Marshal Mort Myers digs through layers of ash as they investigate the cause of a fire at the Regency Inn along the Esplanade from early Wednesday, March 10, 2010 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Tell me what you think? What is your favorite?

Email me at propixelographer@gmail.com