July 5th a Busy Day for Orcas Fire and Rescue

House Fire
Just before 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 5th, seven apparatus and 24 members of Orcas Island Fire and Rescue responded to the 1400 block of North Beach Road for a structure fire that was reported by an observant OPALCO crew. The first arriving units reported smoke and flames showing on the west side of a single family wood frame house. No occupants were home at the time and the crews quickly extinguished the blaze. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the San Juan County Fire Marshall. There were no injuries to civilians or responders. Special thanks to the OPALCO crew for their quick reporting and response.

Marine Rescue
Later Thursday evening at 10:24 p.m., OIFR members were called to assist the San Juan County Sherriff and U.S. Coast Guard in a marine rescue near Lummi and Vendovi Islands. An adult male resident of Bellingham was reported to have sustained a traumatic injury on his recreational fishing boat in the Point Lawrence area off Orcas Island. After a search including a Coast Guard Helicopter, the patient was found near Lummi and Vendovi Islands with a critical traumatic injury. The patient was treated, stabilized, and transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bellingham by a Coast Guard vessel and under the care of an OIFR paramedic and two emergency medical technicians.

OIFR responded to two additional emergency medical calls between the time of the house fire and during the marine rescue.

Orcas Island Fire and Rescue reminds you to be safe around our beautiful waters. We encourage the use of life jackets for everyone aboard any vessel and to exercise safe swimming practices.

Thanks to our dedicated volunteers for their response!

Kevin K. O’Brien, Fire Chief/CEO
Orcas Island Fire and Rescue