Huntington Lake Volunteer Fire Department

The Huntington Lake Fire Volunteer Fire Department is incorporated as a non-profit corporation and r

We respond to fire and medical emergencies as well as other "unique" emergencies within our response area as well as providing assistance to citizens as needed. We also providing automatic aid to the town of Big creek and mutual aid to the US Forest Service, Cal Fire, Shaver Lake, the Sheriff's Department, and the California Highway Patrol. Medical and Rescue Emergencies

We are the first respond

ers to medical aid and rescue emergencies in our area of service. Unlike a city fire department, our staff must be able to stabilize a patient and provide basic life support for at least 35 minutes and in extreme cases up to an hour and a half before the ambulance and paramedic services arrive from Shaver Lake. A typical city fire department usually only has a 5-9 minute time period before the paramedics arrive. In medical emergencies where rapid transport is called for, we have a new Med-Teck "Rescue 62" in which we can transport patients. A more detailed description of our capabilities can be found by following the above link. Fire Emergencies
When fires of any kind occur, we are the first response in our area of service. Our 'first out' response vehicle is a 4 wheel drive fully equipped fire engine (Type II) that can get into all the cabins on the lake as well as to emergencies on poorly maintained roads. We also have four other land based fire fighting apparatus: A larger, 2006 Pierce structure engine (Type I) which carries 1000 gallons of water and fire suppression foam with a high pressure pump; a smaller (Type III) rapid response engine; a pumper/tender which serves both as a type II fire engine and a water tender carring 1,700 gallons of water; a 2010 water tender carrying 2,100 gallons of water and has a a deck gun. Additionally we service the community with a fire boat (Type III) . Fireboat 62 can pump unlimited amounts water to shore based hydrant lines, water tender re-fill stations, firefighting hose lines directly on shore or boat fires via our powerful deck gun. The Fireboat is typically arrive after land based apparatus and provide longer term fire suppression capability. On occasion, we are also asked to assist other fire departments, on a mutual aid basis, with our equipment & staff. Education and Prevention
The very best way to handle a medical or fire emergency is to avoid it in the first place. We assist this approach with printed materials and brief educational sessions delivered typically during annual tract or homeowner meetings. When requested, we also will go to individual dwellings and give advice on how to reduce fire hazards and minimize sources of fuel for fires. Our most common discussion centers around how individual dwelling owners can properly trim trees and bushes around their property ( in accordance with both USFS and CDF printed guidelines) to minimize fuels that would allow a ground fire to get into the crowns of trees. We also provide Emergency call prompter cards to minimize confusion in case a 911 call needs to be made from a residence. Finally, we work with vendors such as the Jorgensen Company in Fresno to bring their technicians and maintenance personnel to the annual Pancake breakfast so that smoke alarms and fire extinguishers kept in each resident can be properly maintained.

Photos from Huntington Lake Volunteer Fire Department's post

05/26/2026

‼️IMPORTANT MESSAGE from the U.S. Forest Service - Sierra National Forest‼️

Stevenson Creek Falls ⚠️Danger Ahead - Be Aware!
💦High flow water for the next three weeks!
🚩Fast moving water!
🚨In the last 48-72 hours – CalFire has been dispatched for six non-fatal injuries at the Stevenson Creek location!
❌It may be unsafe to access the falls and cross the bridge without harm due to flow of water and slippery bridge!
📲Social media is NOT accurately portraying the creek as it relates to safety!

05/25/2026

🚨 The Countdown Is ON! 🚨
Only 40 days until the Huntington Lake Volunteer Fire Department’s Annual Pancake Breakfast & Silent Auction! 🥞🔥

📅 Mark your calendars and get ready for one of our favorite mountain traditions — bringing the community together in support of the people who answer the call when emergencies happen.

Did you know?
🚒 Huntington Lake Volunteer Fire Department is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates through the dedication of volunteers, community donations, and grants. Every dollar raised helps support emergency response, training, equipment, and keeping our rural mountain community protected year-round.

💥 Want to help make this year’s event a success?
We’re currently accepting:
🎁 Silent Auction Donations
💵 Monetary Donations
❤️ Community Sponsorships

Whether it’s a gift basket, services, merchandise, vacation stay, gift certificate, or a direct financial contribution — every donation truly makes a difference.

🌐 Monetary donations can be made online at hlvfd.org

📞 For donation information, please contact:
Nicolette Harley-Barth
(805) 835-9643

🔥 Small community. Huge heart. Life-saving impact. 🔥

05/15/2026

🔥Burn permit season is here!🪵

📣An Important Message from CAL FIRE :

✔️Before you apply or renew, confirm you’re in a CAL FIRE jurisdiction — permits are only issued within the State Responsibility Area (SRA).

📍First, use the SRA lookup map to verify your address.
📝Then head to the Burn Permit Application to apply or renew.

Getting a burn permit is step one, and it is NOT an automatic green light to burn‼️

⚠️Before you ignite, confirm burning is allowed in your county, verify it’s a permissive burn day, and follow ALL conditions listed on your permit!

Learn more, and apply at: burnpermit.fire.ca.gov

CAL FIRE Office of the State Fire Marshal

Photos from Shaver Lake Fire Department's post

05/12/2026

🤝🚒 Strong partnerships build stronger responders.

A HUGE thank you to the Shaver Lake Volunteer Fire Department for continually providing incredible training opportunities and for always making sure we’re included.

We’re beyond grateful for the teamwork, knowledge, and shared commitment to keeping our mountain communities safe. Training together makes all of us better. 🔥⛰️

05/11/2026

May is recognized as National Stroke Awareness Month.
The Huntington Lake Volunteer Fire Department would like to help you stay informed and prepared.

What are the signs of a stroke?
- Facial Drooping : One side of the face droops or is numb; uneven smile.
- Arm Weakness : Sudden numbness or weakness in one or both arms; one arm may drift downward if both are raised.
- Speech Difficulty : Slurred speech, trouble speaking, or confusion.

What should you do in the case of an emergency?
- In a stroke emergency, call 911 immediately—do not drive to the hospital, as ambulances can initiate life-saving care on the way. Make a note of the exact time symptoms started, keep the person lying down on their side, and do not give them any medication, food, or drink.

Act F.A.S.T. to help stroke patients get the treatments they need.
The stroke treatments that work best are available only if the stroke is recognized and diagnosed within 3 hours of the first symptoms. Stroke patients may not be eligible for these treatments if they don’t arrive at the hospital in time.

If you think someone may be having a stroke, act F.A.S.T. and do the following test:
* F—Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
* A—Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
* S—Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is the speech slurred or strange?
* T—Time: If you see any of these signs, call 9-1-1 right away.

By knowing the signs and symptoms of a stroke, you can take quick action and perhaps save a life—maybe even your own.

Immediate treatment within a few hours can significantly improve outcomes and reduce long-term damage.

05/09/2026

🥞SAVE THE DATE!🚒 Come out and support the Huntington Lake Volunteer Fire Dept at our 14th Annual Pancake Breakfast & Silent Auction!

📅 Sunday, July 5, 2026
📍China Peak Mountain Resort 🕗 8:00am - 11:00am

Come hungry and ready to bid! Every syrupy bite and every auction item sold goes directly toward the equipment and training our volunteers need to keep our mountain community safe.

Come for the breakfast, stay for the auction, and meet the dedicated team behind the engines!
See you at the Peak!🏔️✨

05/06/2026

❄️➡️☀️ SEASONS CHANGE… SO DO WE. 🚨🚒

✔️Winter mode: COMPLETE.
Snow tracks-OFF.
All-terrain tires-ON.

🏔️As the snow melts off the mountain, we’re already shifting gears and getting our OHV fleet summer-ready for whatever the season throws at us. From snow response to mountain roads — these OHV’s never stop working.

❓Who’s ready to trade snow days and ski slopes for lake days, and summer adventures? 🚤😎🌊

VolunteerFireDepartment HuntingtonLake MountainLife FirstResponderLife ReadyForAnything SierraNevada SummerPrep OffRoadRescue CommunityFirst

04/23/2026

Planned Control Burns

On Tuesday, April 21, the U.S. Forest Service's High Sierra Ranger District resumed an ongoing prescribed fire management operation near Camp Sierra, north of Shaver Lake. The ignition of burn piles is expected to last through Sunday, April 26.

Smoke and fire will be visible from a large area around the Big Creek Drainage. There is no need to dial 911 as safety personnel will be on scene monitoring fire activity.

County of Fresno

04/19/2026

Notice from Southern California Edison regarding work at Huntington Lake Dam 1. The Big Creek Huntington Lake Dam 1 LLOV Project is scheduled to take place from May 4, 2026 through November 25, 2026.
We are sharing this information to help ensure residents are aware of the upcoming activity and any possible impacts while work is being done.

01/28/2026

End Of Watch Ceremony 01/24/2026
John “Higgy” Higginbotham
National Ski Patrol Volunteer

In law enforcement and emergency services, an End of Watch (EOW) radio call, also known as a Last Radio Call or Final Call, is a ceremonial broadcast used to mark the conclusion of an individual’s service. The radio call includes their radio ID and name, which is broadcast by Dispatch, in the “Hey you!_____It’s me” format.

"End of Watch" is particularly recognized as a solemn tribute for the death of a first responder.

“Last Radio Call" signifies the final end of his service, and life, celebrating his dedication to keeping the public, his peers, and the mountain safe.

* Begin “Final Radio Call”:

* 540_____Dispatch

* 540_____Dispatch

* 540, John Higginbotham _____Dispatch

* 540, John Higginbotham _____Dispatch

* Higgy, 7-11_____Dispatch!

* Higgy, Please respond!

* 540, John Higginbotham, No Response…

* 540, John Higginbotham, Sweep’s In.

* 540, John Higginbotham, Final Sweep.

* 540, John Higginbotham, Out Of Service.

* 540, John Higginbotham, “You have finished your tour of duty".

* 540, John Higginbotham, End Of Watch.

* Gathering of Peers: those of you who are in Ski Patrol or SAR, whether in uniform or not, currently active or not, please stand.

* To repeat: 540, John Higginbotham, End Of Watch.

* 540, John Higginbotham: We have the watch from here…

* 540, John Higginbotham, May your memory be a blessing…

* 540, John Higginbotham, Rest In Peace.

* Let us have a moment of silence for Higgy…

* May your memory be a blessing…

End “Final Radio Call “.

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Location

Fresno

Website

http://www.hlvfd.org/

Address

5132 North Palm Avenue #373
Fresno, CA
93704

Huntington Lake Volunteer Fire Department

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