Myron M. Kinley
Encyclopedia
Myron M. Kinley was the first pioneer in fighting oil well fire
s. He was born in Santa Barbara, California
in 1898 and died May 12, 1978.
During Myron’s life he developed many patents and designs for the tools and techniques of oil firefighting. He also trained others in their use, including legendary Red Adair
, Boots Hansen and Coots Mathews (Boots & Coots
). Virtually every organization in the oil well firefighting business today can trace its roots back to Myron Kinley and the MM Kinley Company.
Myron's father Karl T. Kinley was an oil well
shooter in California; Karl dynamited wells to fracture the rock and to increase flow. In 1913, faced with a roaring fire resulting from a blowout
, Karl tried blowing it out with a giant "puff" of dynamite
. It worked and remains a common technique for fighting oil fires.
Young Myron, who helped with the first shot, went on to develop the business of oil well firefighting, and essentially established the industry. Although it was lucrative, it had its risks. Myron’s brother, Floyd Kinley died March 12, 1938 from injuries at a Goliad, Texas
blowout accident. Floyd Kinley was born November 28, 1904 in Bundrage, California. Myron’s right leg was permanently injured in late 1936 at the Bay City fire. Myron was also severely burned in an accident in Venezuela in 1945. Myron survived many incidents and died at home in Chickasha, Oklahoma
on May 12, 1978.
Myron’s parents; Karl T. Kinley and Katherine Rose Scholl were married July 4, 1896 in Pasadena, California
. As a baby, Myron moved to Bakersfield
in 1899 and his sister Lucille was born in 1902; she lived in Ohio, California. Myron Kinley married Rowena May Hall in 1924. Myron was later married to his second wife Jessie Dearing in 1958. In 1996, Jessie Kinley published the book Call Kinley about Myron’s achievements .
Oil well fire
Oil well fires is the common term for oil or gas wells that have caught on fire and burn. Oil well fires can be the result of human actions, such as accidents or arson, or natural events, such as lightning...
s. He was born in Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara is the county seat of Santa Barbara County, California, United States. Situated on an east-west trending section of coastline, the longest such section on the West Coast of the United States, the city lies between the steeply-rising Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean...
in 1898 and died May 12, 1978.
During Myron’s life he developed many patents and designs for the tools and techniques of oil firefighting. He also trained others in their use, including legendary Red Adair
Red Adair
Paul Neal "Red" Adair was an American oil well firefighter. He became world notable as an innovator in the highly specialized and extremely hazardous profession of extinguishing and capping blazing, erupting oil well blowouts, both land-based and offshore.-Life and career:Adair was born in...
, Boots Hansen and Coots Mathews (Boots & Coots
Boots & Coots
Boots & Coots/IWC is one of the world's premier well control companies. Founded in 1978 by Red Adair's lieutenants, Asger "Boots" Hansen and the late Ed "Coots" Matthews, Boots & Coots International Well Control, Inc...
). Virtually every organization in the oil well firefighting business today can trace its roots back to Myron Kinley and the MM Kinley Company.
Myron's father Karl T. Kinley was an oil well
Oil well
An oil well is a general term for any boring through the earth's surface that is designed to find and acquire petroleum oil hydrocarbons. Usually some natural gas is produced along with the oil. A well that is designed to produce mainly or only gas may be termed a gas well.-History:The earliest...
shooter in California; Karl dynamited wells to fracture the rock and to increase flow. In 1913, faced with a roaring fire resulting from a blowout
Blowout (well drilling)
A blowout is the uncontrolled release of crude oil and/or natural gas from an oil well or gas well after pressure control systems have failed....
, Karl tried blowing it out with a giant "puff" of dynamite
Dynamite
Dynamite is an explosive material based on nitroglycerin, initially using diatomaceous earth , or another absorbent substance such as powdered shells, clay, sawdust, or wood pulp. Dynamites using organic materials such as sawdust are less stable and such use has been generally discontinued...
. It worked and remains a common technique for fighting oil fires.
Young Myron, who helped with the first shot, went on to develop the business of oil well firefighting, and essentially established the industry. Although it was lucrative, it had its risks. Myron’s brother, Floyd Kinley died March 12, 1938 from injuries at a Goliad, Texas
Goliad, Texas
Goliad is a city in Goliad County, Texas, United States. It had a population of 1975 at the 2000 census. Founded on the San Antonio River, it is the county seat of Goliad County. It is part of the Victoria, Texas Metropolitan Statistical Area. Goliad is located on U.S. Highway 59, named also for...
blowout accident. Floyd Kinley was born November 28, 1904 in Bundrage, California. Myron’s right leg was permanently injured in late 1936 at the Bay City fire. Myron was also severely burned in an accident in Venezuela in 1945. Myron survived many incidents and died at home in Chickasha, Oklahoma
Chickasha, Oklahoma
Chickasha is a city in and the county seat, business and employment center of Grady County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 15,850 at the 2000 census. Chickasha is home to the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma and hosts an annual Festival of Light celebration located at...
on May 12, 1978.
Myron’s parents; Karl T. Kinley and Katherine Rose Scholl were married July 4, 1896 in Pasadena, California
Pasadena, California
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions, including the California Institute of Technology , the Jet...
. As a baby, Myron moved to Bakersfield
Bakersfield, California
Bakersfield is a city near the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley in Kern County, California. It is roughly equidistant between Fresno and Los Angeles, to the north and south respectively....
in 1899 and his sister Lucille was born in 1902; she lived in Ohio, California. Myron Kinley married Rowena May Hall in 1924. Myron was later married to his second wife Jessie Dearing in 1958. In 1996, Jessie Kinley published the book Call Kinley about Myron’s achievements .