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River Calls Keep Fire Crews On The Go
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A single vehicle injury accident early morning Thursday, May 21 along Highway 120 east of Oakdale was just one of many calls that local fire crews responded to during the week. Modesto Fire Department Photo

A hot weekend and high water levels combined to keep area fire crews busy on the river, handling a few calls of boaters in need of assistance.

On Saturday, May 23 about 3:45 p.m., Water Rescues 28, 29, Engine 27, and Battalion 5 responded to a water rescue on the Stanislaus River. Crews received information that six adults were stranded in the middle of the river channel. Boat 29 launched from Knights Ferry as Boat 28 launched from Orange Blossom Road to search for the stranded boaters. Boat 29 reported coming across a group of four adults that were also stranded, but did not call 9-1-1 yet; Boat 29 assisted the four to safety then proceeded to search for the six adults who called 9-1-1. Boats 28 and 29 quickly located the additional stranded adults and then assisted them to safety; no injuries were reported.

Memorial Day brought two calls of significance. At 1 p.m., Stanislaus Engine 26, Engine 7, Stanislaus Quint 22 and BC 5 responded to a potential structure fire on Patterson Road in the City of Riverbank for a report of smoke in the break room. Crews located and isolated the issue to a refrigerator in the break room.

A few hours later, at about 4:45 p.m. Monday, Water Rescue 28, Engine 27, Stanislaus Water Rescue 26 and BC 5 responded to a reported water rescue on the Stanislaus River. Crews were able to locate the subjects on the river with the assistance of the Stanislaus Sheriff Helicopter A-101. The individuals were assisted to the river bank by other rafters in the area and refused additional assistance.

On Saturday, May 23 at about 8:45 p.m., Modesto Fire Department, and Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection District personnel were dispatched to the report of a residential structure fire in the 7000 block of Turnberry Lane in Riverbank. Crews arrived to find a well involved attached garage fire in a single story residence with fire quickly spreading to the attic. Crews were able to contain the fire to the attic space and attached garage. The Stanislaus Fire Investigation Unit was on scene conducting an investigation, no injuries were reported.

Friday evening, May 22 about 7:20 p.m., Modesto Engine 28 was dispatched for a smoke check in the area of 11000 Warnerville Road in Oakdale. Engine 28 located an almond hull pile on fire on a dairy farm. Modesto Water Tender 27, Engine 27, Battalion 5, Stanislaus Water Tender 24, Engine 21 and Water Tender 21 responded to assist. The fire was contained to the almond hulls.

And one person was injured in a single vehicle accident on Thursday morning, May 21 about 12:50 a.m.

Engine 28, Engine 27 and BC 5 responded to a reported motor vehicle accident on Highway 120 east of Oakdale. Engine 28 arrived to find a single vehicle into a tree and one patient with injuries. CHP was also on scene investigating.