City of Mountain View - Fire Department

On Saturday, June 13 at 10:32 p.m., a 9-1-1 call was received reporting a loud explosion and smoke in the 2900 block of N. Shoreline Boulevard.

Units were dispatched at 10:32 p.m. and arrived on the scene at 10:36 p.m. They found a 25’ x 200’ area of vegetation and grass on fire along N. Shoreline Boulevard. The fire was moving quickly through the vegetation towards City of Mountain View property and the Shoreline Park.

Firefighters quickly suppressed the fire, using hose lines from each of the four apparatus on scene to engage in a mobile fire attack, limiting the burn to approximately one-half acre. Firefighters mopped up the scene to ensure the fire was fully extinguished.

The Mountain View Police Department provided traffic control for 90 minutes while fire units and equipment were on the scene. There were no injuries as a result of the fire. Pacific Gas & Electric confirmed there were no downed power lines and that the utility was unlikely to be the cause of the fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

As a reminder, during the hot summer months, vegetation is drier and more susceptible to catching fire. According to the National Fire Protection Association, by following a few safety tips, you can prevent these fires.
• Do not discard ci******es from a moving vehicle.
• Keep grills at least 10 feet from structures.
• Ensure campfires are fully extinguished with water.
• All fireworks are prohibited in the City of Mountain View.

All fireworks, including those labeled safe and sane, are dangerous and illegal to use, own, or sell in all of Santa Clara County, except Gilroy. The Mountain View Police Department will fully investigate the use of illegal fireworks to protect the City’s highly protected biodiverse area.

Fire Chief Brian Jones stated, “As Fire Chief, my highest priority is keeping our community safe. Fireworks are strictly prohibited in Mountain View; our dry conditions mean a single spark can instantly trigger devastating structure fires, wildland fires, and severe injuries. I ask all residents to stand with us in protecting our neighborhoods and open spaces. This Fourth of July, leave the risks behind and join us for the safe, professional, and spectacular celebration at Shoreline Amphitheatre.”

Photographs
Individual images can be found at Flickr.com/photos/MVpublicsafety.
Please credit the images: Courtesy of the City of Mountain View Fire Department.

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for portions of the San Francisco Bay Area, in effect on Thursday, June 11 from noon-11:00 p.m. Afternoon high temperatures are expected to exceed average temperatures for most locations, resulting in an increased risk for those sensitive to heat, especially those without effective cooling or adequate hydration.

Take care of yourself and your family by adhering to the following preparedness actions:

• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Stay in air-conditioned areas or go to an air-conditioned building if you do not have A/C.
• Limit outdoor activities during the hottest time of the day.
• Do not leave kids or pets in vehicles.
• Be aware of hot pavement when walking dogs.
• Check on relatives and neighbors.

In anticipation of the heat, the City of Mountain View will open the following facilities to the public as air-conditioned cooling centers to find shelter from the heat:

• The Police Services Fire Administration Building lobby at 1000 Villa St. will be open to the public Thursday and Friday, June 11 and 12, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
• The Mountain View Community Center lobby at 201 S. Rengstorff Ave. will be open to the public Thursday, June 11, 8:30 a.m.-10:00 p.m., and Friday, June 12, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
• The Mountain View Public Library at 585 Franklin St. will be open to the public Thursday, June 11, 10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m., and Friday, June 12, 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

Call 9-1-1 if you are experiencing a medical emergency.

On Wednesday, May 27, at 8:10 p.m., a 9-1-1 call was received reporting flames coming from a recreational vehicle (RV) parked in the 1000 block of Independence Avenue.

Fire units were dispatched at 8:11 p.m. and arrived on the scene at 8:16 p.m. They arrived to find an active fire coming from an RV. Firefighters initiated a fire attack with water lines pre-connected to the fire engine and extinguished the flames before they could spread.

Firefighters performed an extensive overhaul of the RV to ensure complete extinguishment of the flames. One adult was treated by City of Mountain View Fire Department Paramedics for smoke inhalation because of the fire and declined transport to a local hospital.

The Mountain View Police Department provided traffic control for 90 minutes while fire units and equipment were on the scene. The Public Works Department was called to the scene to ensure no contaminants from the fire entered the storm drain.

The two adult occupants of the RV arranged for temporary housing with friends and neighbors. The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental, due to a cooking error that ignited the contents of a pot on the stove. The estimated damage to the contents and vehicle is $20,000.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires and injuries. By following a few safety tips, you can prevent these fires.
• Stay in the kitchen while frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food.
• Keep anything that can catch fire (oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels, or curtains) away from your stovetop.
• Smother flames on the stovetop by sliding a lid over the pan and turning off the burner.
• Get out and call 9-1-1 if you have any doubts about extinguishing a small fire.

Photographs
Individual images can be found at Flickr.com/photos/MVpublicsafety.
Please credit the images: Courtesy of the City of Mountain View Fire Department.

Join us in welcoming Josh Coleman as the newly appointed Deputy Fire Chief for the City of Mountain View Fire Department! 🚒

Chief Coleman officially steps into his new role today, May 18, bringing 21 years of dedicated fire service experience to our team.

Here is a quick look at Chief Coleman's extensive background:
• He began his fire service career in 2005 as a Firefighter/Paramedic with the City of Santa Cruz Fire Department.
• Most recently, he served as a shift battalion chief, guiding and supporting outstanding fire personnel for the past nine years.
• As a Strike Team Leader, he has led engine companies to complex mega-fires throughout California.
• He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from California State University at Fresno, where he played defensive back for the Bulldogs football team! 🏈

We are excited to share his vision for our agency: "It’s an honor to be entrusted with serving the residents and visitors of the City, but more importantly, the talented members of the Fire Department team."

Please join us in giving Deputy Fire Chief Coleman a warm Mountain View welcome! 👋

On Friday, May 8, at 6:37 p.m., a 9-1-1 call was received reporting flames coming from a vacant single-family residence in the 400 block of Sylvan Avenue.

Fire units were dispatched at 6:37 p.m. and arrived on the scene at 6:42 p.m. Units arrived to find an active fire in the patio of a single-story home. Firefighters quickly extinguished the flames with a preconnected 1¾-inch fire attack hose line, preventing the fire from spreading further into the residence.

The fire was extinguished with no injuries. The Mountain View Police Department provided traffic control for one hour while fire units and equipment were on the scene.

An interior window ledge in the patio was determined to be the fire’s area of origin. The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental, due to a renovation mishap. The estimated damage to the contents and structure is $10,000. The building was turned over to the homeowner before fire crews left the scene.

By following a few safety tips, you can protect your family from fire while performing residential renovations.
• Never pile oily rags; instead, lay them flat outside to dry or submerge them in water, then seal them in a metal container.
• Store all paints and flammable liquids in cool, detached areas.

Photographs
Individual images can be found at Flickr.com/photos/MVpublicsafety.
Please credit the images: Courtesy of the City of Mountain View Fire Department.

Yesterday, the Mountain View Fire Department completed our 2026 Annual Fire Chief's Inspection, and the results are in! We want to extend a massive thank you to all our personnel for the weeks of hard work and "station pride" displayed in preparing our facilities and equipment.

While the competition was incredibly close, we are proud to announce this year's top honors:
🏆 Winners Circle
• Fire Station of the Year: Fire Station No. 2
Why they won: Exceptional attention to detail, from a newly organized outdoor bonding area and pressure-washed BBQ space to impeccably maintained shop facilities and grounds.

• Fire Apparatus of the Year: Engine 53
Why they won: Their level of detail was unmatched, and featured a spotless engine compartment, freshly painted hand tools, and a perfectly organized engineer's compartment using blue tape for accountability.

⭐ Honorable Mentions
• Fire Station No. 4: Recognized for their incredible effort in deep cleaning and polishing the station floors to a high shine.
• Truck 51: Acknowledged for their highly organized compartments and pristine, well-painted equipment.

The Standard of Readiness
The annual inspection is more than just a deep clean; it is a vital process to ensure all front-line apparatus, EMS equipment, and facilities are in peak condition to serve the Mountain View community. Our command staff was thoroughly impressed by the professionalism and consistency shown by every shift.

Congratulations to Station 2 and Engine 53!

A huge shout-out and thank you to Lowe’s in Sunnyvale for their incredible generosity!

They recently donated 11 water-bottle hand pumps to assist our residents affected by the ongoing water incident. Partnerships like this make a world of difference in supporting our community in a time of need.

We are so grateful for your support!

Not all our calls involve smoke and flames! 🚒🦆

This morning, Mountain View Fire Department crews jumped into action for a specialized rescue. A group of ducklings had fallen through a storm drain grate, but our team was able to remove the cover and safely retrieve every last one.

Swipe through to see the rescue and the happy reunion with mama duck! 🐥💛

On April 30, we welcomed a new firefighter after officially graduating from the City of Mountain View Fire Academy!

Please join us in giving a big congratulations to our newest member and a heartfelt thank-you to his family for the support and sacrifices that made this day possible. Welcome to the team!

On Wednesday, April 22 at 4:35 a.m., a 9-1-1 call was received reporting a fire in the attic of a single-family residence in the 1100 block of Bruckner Circle. The building's occupant self-evacuated before firefighters arrived.

Fire units were dispatched at 4:35 a.m. and arrived on the scene at 4:41 a.m. Units arrived to find an active fire in the attic of a single-story home. Firefighters quickly extinguished the flames with a preconnected 1¾-inch fire attack hose line, preventing the fire from spreading further into the residence.

Firefighters cut open the ceiling and used thermal imaging cameras to measure heat behind the drywall and in the attic, ensuring complete extinguishment of the flames. The fire was extinguished with no injuries. The Mountain View Police Department provided traffic control for 90 minutes while fire units and equipment were on the scene.

The occupant of the residence was allowed to return to their home. The cause of the fire is under investigation. The estimated damage to the contents and structure is $10,000.

Photographs
Individual images can be found at https://www.flickr.com/people/mvpublicsafety/
Please credit the images: Courtesy of the City of Mountain View Fire Department.