On September 28th, 2021, at 2:07 p.m., 7 Fire Companies, 2 Chief Officers, 1 Fire Investigator, and 1 Breathing Support Unit responded to a structure fire at 217 Accacia Street in the City of Daly City.

The first arriving fire company found smoke coming from the eave vents of a two-story, single family home. Firefighters made entry through the front door and found light smoke in the home with smoke and flames coming from the garage. Using hose lines, firefighters were able to contain the fire to the garage, with minimal extension to the adjoining structure, and smoke damage throughout the rest of the home.

Fire companies remained on scene for 2 hours checking for fire extension and completing overhaul operations. Four residents were displaced by the fire and Red Cross contacted to arrange housing accommodations. There were no injuries to any of the occupants or firefighters.

The cause of this fire is accidental, due to hot work in the garage as determined by the North County Fire Prevention Services Division.
The North County Fire Authority wants to remind everyone of the importance of installing and maintaining smoke alarms in their homes. While encouraging everyone to, “Learn the Sound of Fire Safety” by recognizing October 3rd – October 9th, 2021 as Fire Prevention Week.

On September 22, 2021, at approximately 11:12 p.m., 6 Fire Companies, 2 Chief Officers, and 1 Fire Investigator responded to the commercial building fire at 1809 Palmetto Ave., in the City of Pacifica.

The first arriving fire company reported heavy smoke and flames coming from the back of the commercial building on the exterior terrace. Firefighters began search and rescue operations and simultaneously used hose lines to attack and confine the fire to the back half of the building and the terrace. Firefighters found no trapped tenants. The aggressive fire attack kept the flames from spreading to the neighboring buildings.

The fire was controlled, with complete extinguishment and overhaul completed in approximately two hours. There were no civilians or firefighters injured, and the cause of the fire is under investigation by the Fire Prevention Services Bureau.

The North County Fire Authority wants to remind everyone of the importance of installing and maintaining smoke detectors in homes and businesses.

On August 31st, 2021 at 12:55 a.m., 5 Fire Companies and 2 Chief Officers responded to a homeless encampment fire adjacent to a Golden Gate National Recreation Area trail near the City of Pacifica.

The first arriving fire company found debris from a homeless encampment and surrounding vegetation burning at a slow rate of spread. Fire companies were able to contain the fire to approximately ¼ acre.

No structures were threatened by the fire and there were no injuries to any firefighters or civilians. Fire companies remained on scene for 2 hours checking for hot spots and completing overhaul operations.

This fire was not within the jurisdiction of North County Fire Authority or the City of Pacifica. The incident was on Golden Gate National Recreation Area lands, therefore the cause of the fire is under investigation by the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

North County Fire Authority wants to remind you of the importance of planning and preparing for a wildfire. Please visit northcountyfire.org for more information on how you can be ready for wildfire.

On August 14, 2021 at 5:30 p. m., 6 Fire Companies and 1 Chief Officer responded to a structure fire at 178 Eastmoor Avenue in the City of Daly City.

The first arriving fire company found smoke coming from the roof and flames coming from the front of the first floor of a two-story, town home. Firefighters entered the home and began search and rescue operations but found no occupants. Smoke and flames were found coming from the kitchen and using hoselines, firefighters were able to contain the fire to this area, with smoke damage throughout the rest of the home.

Fire companies remained on scene for over an hour and a half checking for fire extension and completing salvage and overhaul operations. Three residents were displaced by the fire and made their own housing arrangements. There were no injuries to any of the firefighters or residents.

The North County Fire Authority wants to remind everyone of the importance of installing and maintaining smoke alarms in their homes.

On July 24, 2021, at 5:51 p.m., 6 Fire Companies, 2 Chief Officers 1 Fire Investigator responded to a structure fire at 12 Ortega Court in the City of Pacifica.

The first arriving fire company found smoke coming from the eaves of a one story, single family home. Firefighters made forcible entry through the front door and found heavy smoke throughout the home with flames coming from a rear, corner bedroom and hallway, which also broke through the ceiling and into the attic above. Firefighters began search and rescue operations throughout the home, but found no occupants. Flames from the rear bedroom also broke out the bedroom window, catching a tree on fire in the back yard of the home. Using hose lines, firefighters were able to contain the fire to those areas, with heavy smoke damage throughout the rest of the home.

Fire companies remained on scene for over 2 hours checking for fire extension and completing overhaul and mop up operations. Eight residents were displaced by the fire and provided their own housing arrangements.  There were no injuries to any of the occupants or firefighters. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Fire Prevention Division.

The North County Fire Authority wants to remind everyone of the importance of installing and maintaining smoke alarms in their homes.

On July 11, 2021, at 3:19 p.m., 6 Fire Companies, 3 Chief Officers, and 1 Fire Investigator responded to a structure fire at 259 Winwood Avenue in the City of Pacific.

The first arriving fire company found heavy smoke coming from a two-story single-family residence. Firefighters made entry into the first floor encountering heavy smoke and flames and simultaneously began a search and rescue operation and using fire service hose lines firefighters were able to contain the fire within the area of origin. The search and rescue operation determined there were no trapped people or pets needing help, as the occupants were no home at the time of the incident.

Fire companies remained on scene for over two and half hours, checking for fire extension and completing salvage and overhaul. Three residents and a pet were displaced by the fire and were able to make re-location arrangements on their own.

There were no injuries to any of the firefighters or civilians and the fire is under investigation by the North County Fire Authority Fire Prevention Division.

The North County Fire Authority wants to remind everyone of the importance of installing and maintaining smoke alarms.

On June 30, 2021 at 10:55 a. m., 4 Fire Companies, 1 Chief Officer and 1 Fire Investigator responded to a structure fire at 59 Park Manor Drive in the City of Daly City.

The first arriving fire company found smoke coming from the windows and eave vents of a two-story, single family home.  Firefighters made forcible entry into the home and found heavy smoke and flames coming from the rear of the garage.  Using hose lines, firefighters were able to contain the fire to the garage with smoke damage throughout the rest of the home.

Fire companies remained on scene for over 2 hours checking for fire extension and completing salvage and overhaul operations. Four residents were displaced by the fire and made their own housing arrangements.

There were no injuries to any of the firefighters or residents. The fire is under investigation by the North County Fire Authority Fire Prevention Division.

The North County Fire Authority wants to remind everyone of the importance of installing and maintaining smoke alarms in their homes.

As communities prepare to honor Independence Day, please keep in mind safe practices when using fireworks during your celebration. Only “Safe and Sane” fireworks, purchased at predetermined, Fire Department inspected booths placed throughout the City of Pacifica are allowed to be used during the Fourth of July celebration. The City of Brisbane and City of Daly City do not allow or permit the use of fireworks. 

As in previous years the North County Fire Authority will be augmenting staffing on the July 4^th holiday in preparation of potential emergencies during the celebrations. We need the public’s assistance in avoiding the use of illegal fireworks, which can cause fires, injury or even death and may exceed or overwhelm emergency response resources. Know that fines and penalties for the distribution and/or use of illegal fireworks have increased and will be strictly enforced.

Fourth of July celebrations traditionally present a large fire danger to citizens.  Annually, hospitals across the nation report thousands of cases of burn injuries caused by fireworks.  Most firework burn injuries involve children and are usually burns to the hands and eyes causing vision impairment and disfiguring scars.

Pacifica is one of the few cities in the Bay Area to allow legal, “Safe & Sane” fireworks for the July 4th holiday. The Pacifica City Council adopted an Illegal Fireworks Social Host Ordinance in attempt to curb rampant use of illegal fireworks in Pacifica. The ordinance is designed to hold those hosting gatherings responsible for illegal firework activity that occurs on property they own or rent.

The ordinance is a strict liability ordinance, meaning the person responsible for the property (the Social Host) is responsible for the discharge of illegal fireworks on their property. Officers do not need to prove the Social Host knew of the illegal fireworks discharge. Officers must be able to testify that the fireworks came from a certain property.

The ordinance also pertains to “Any person who hosts, organizes, supervises, officiates, conducts, or accepts responsibility for a gathering on public or private property.”

Additionally, if a minor is found discharging illegal fireworks, the person having care, custody or control of the minor is strictly liable for the illegal activity and subject to fine.

The penalty for a violation of the Illegal Fireworks Social Host Ordinance is $1,000. This is an administrative fine levied by the City of Pacifica.

The North County Fire Authority encourages everyone to follow all directions on “Safe and Sane” fireworks if using them in the City of Pacifica, and to take all proper safety precautions:

• Use only legal fireworks approved by the California State Fire Marshal.
• Inspect all fireworks. Never use damaged or leaking fireworks.
• Never give fireworks to a small child.
• Store fireworks in a cool, dry place.
• Light only one item at a time. Use a shovel and drop any “dud” fireworks into a pail of water.
• Keep spectators at least 10 feet away.
• Use fireworks in a clear area at least 20 feet away from a house, wood fence or brush.
• Light fireworks in a large, safe, level area of dirt, pavement or gravel at least 10 feet square in size.
• Have a pail of water ready to place used or malfunctioning fireworks in.
• Keep an extra pail of water, wet towels, charged garden hose or fire extinguisher on hand for emergencies.
• Do not point fireworks at anyone.
• If someone is injured or a fire is started, call 9-1-1 immediately.

For more information, contact the Information Officer at 650-991-8138

On April 28, 2021, at 3:12 p.m., 6 Fire Companies, 2 Chief Officers and 1 Fire Investigator responded to a structure fire at 224 Second Ave in the City of Daly City.

The first arriving fire company found heavy smoke coming out of the roof and eave vents of a two-story, single family home. Firefighters made entry through the front door and found heavy smoke in the home with flames coming from the kitchen. With chainsaws firefighters provided ventilation on the roof of the structure. Using hose lines, firefighters were able to contain the fire to the kitchen and attic above, with smoke damage throughout the rest of the home.

Fire companies remained on scene for 2 hours checking for fire extension and completing overhaul and mop up operations. Five residents were displaced by the fire and made housing arrangements with the Red Cross. There were no injuries to any of the occupants or firefighters.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the North County Fire Prevention Services Division.

The North County Fire Authority wants to remind everyone of the importance of installing and maintaining smoke alarms in their homes.