Our History

The James Canyon Volunteer Fire Department got it’s start in August of 1969 with the help of the with fund-raising and coordination with the U.S. Forest Service and the Mayhill Volunteer Fire Department.  Upon the election of officers at their organized meeting, by-laws were drafted, building specifications reviewed and training discussed. In September of 1969, a lot of donated by the Twin Forks development as a building for the station.  Construction started in late ’69 with completion in early 1970.  One of the first fire trucks was donated to the department by the Mayhill VFD.  Two additional trucks were received from the U.S. Forest Service.  By August 1970, the officers of the department were studying the requirements for state certification.  Substations were organized in the Sixteen Springs area and Cloud Country Estates.

The first recorded fire responded to was in September of 1969, which was a structural fire of unknown origin.

James Canyon Volunteer Fire Department’s current area of responsibility encompasses approximately 48 square miles.  Service to this area include all highways and secondary roads and all structures and private lands.  In addition, JCVFD maintains mutual aid agreements with other departments from various communities within the Sacramento Mountain Region. The volunteers also assist the Forestry Department in wildland firefighting operations throughout the surrounding vicinity.

Three large fires in which the JCVFD aided the forest service were the Scott Able Fire (May 2000), the Penasco Fire (May 2002) and the Walker Canyon Fire (May 2003).  The Scott Able fire was contained after eight days.  16,500 acres were destroyed along with 64 homes.  Two lives were lost in a spotter plane accident.  The Penasco Fire consumed 16,000 acres with approximately $6,000,000 in damages.  With 600 firefighters on the blaze and as many as seven tankers dropping retardant, the fire was 100% contained after 8 days.  No deaths or injuries were contributed directly to the fire.  The Walker Canyon fire burned 3,400 acres and 250 volunteer firemen were on the job.  Since that the brave volunteers have continued to serve the community.

The JCVFD is an Otero County resource and received financial support as a line item in their allotted annual budget.  These funds are used for daily operations, apparatus maintenance and procurement of some equipment.  In addition, the department remains constantly vigilant for local, state or federal grant application opportunities in hopes of funding future requirements.