Davey Tree Flipbooks

May-June 2017 Davey Bulletin

The Davey Tree Expert Company provides residential and commercial tree service and landscape service throughout North America. Read our Flipbooks for helpful tips and information on proper tree and lawn care.

Issue link: https://daveytree.uberflip.com/i/838350

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 21 of 35

22 The Davey Bulletin | May/June 2017 MY DAVEY DAVEY CREW PREVENTS POTENTIAL WILDFIRE Three Davey Tree Surgery Company employees stopped a small wildfire from becoming a big disaster. Dennis Dotson, area manager, said a crew volunteering for a Saturday shift on the PG&E North Shasta account spotted a brush fire on the side of the highway while driving through the Hat Creek area. "The fire, at that time, had flames about 2 feet tall encircling a large pine tree," Dotson said. "They called Cal Fire and got no response, so they called 911." While calling for help, foreman Jose Vargas, climbers Tony Aitkin and Christopher McCarley grabbed the basic firefighting tools they carry on their truck – a shovel, a spade with a 4-foot handle, a 5-gallon water backpack sprayer, a fire extinguisher and a McLeod tool – and set to work. They cut a fire line to prevent its spread and knocked the flames down using the sprayer. Then they monitored the fire while waiting for firefighters to arrive. Dave Handt, regional safety manager, conducts regular fire safety refresher courses with crews in the West, including in Northern California where this fire broke out, for these exact scenarios. "The crews aren't firemen by any means, but they know enough that if an incident happens out there they can take care of themselves and suppress it if the fire is small," Handt said. "The crew did a fantastic job." Dotson said the fire, which started in October, could have easily grown due to the drought that persisted into last fall. "This is a high-risk fire area," he said. "In this area, some of the largest fires are in October." This photo shows the damage caused by a small brush fire, which could have grown out of control if not for the actions of a well-trained Davey crew. The crew reacted the instant they spotted the fire on the roadside, moving so quickly they didn't even have time to set up cones around their truck.

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of Davey Tree Flipbooks - May-June 2017 Davey Bulletin