Southern California continues to grapple with one of the most devastating wildfire outbreaks in its history, prompting a statewide response to assist with firefighting efforts. Agencies across the Sacramento region have joined the fight, sending personnel, equipment, or both to help contain the blazes and protect lives and property.
The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) deployed a 22-member strike team to aid in battling the Palisades Fire. This team, composed of firefighters from the Cosumnes Fire Department, Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District, and Sacramento Fire Department, includes five engines dedicated to the effort. El Dorado Hills Fire Department have been deployed to the Eaton Fire, which erupted Tuesday night in the hills above Altadena, leading to evacuation orders. The fire has already claimed two lives and scorched more than 10,600 acres as of Wednesday morning.
The El Dorado Hills crew has been joined by personnel from El Dorado County Fire, Garden Valley Fire, and two Amador County fire departments. Additionally, a strike team from CAL FIRE’s Amador-El Dorado Unit has been dispatched to support efforts at the Palisades Fire, which began in northwest Los Angeles on Tuesday morning. The fire has forced tens of thousands of residents to evacuate and has destroyed numerous homes and businesses.
While the Folsom Fire Department has not yet deployed personnel to Southern California, Fire Chief Ken Cusano confirmed that the department remains prepared to contribute as needed. “Our OES Engine is out of service due to mechanical issues, so Folsom Fire will not be sending any crews to SoCal yet,” Cusano said. “We may be sending some overhead assignments such as safety officers, etc.”
As of Thursday morning, firefighters across Southern California are working to control multiple fires that have ravaged communities from the Pacific Coast to Pasadena. The fires have resulted in five confirmed deaths, the destruction of nearly 2,000 structures, and the evacuation of approximately 130,000 people. The Palisades Fire alone has become the most destructive wildfire in Los Angeles history, burning more than 42 square miles.
Efforts to combat the fires have been hampered by extreme winds, which spread embers and ignited new fires. Aircraft had to be grounded temporarily due to hurricane-force gusts on Wednesday, further complicating firefighting operations. However, calmer winds on Thursday have provided an opportunity for crews to gain ground on the flames.
The Sunset Fire, which broke out Wednesday evening in the Hollywood Hills, posed a significant threat to densely populated neighborhoods but was brought under control within hours. “We hit it hard and fast, and Mother Nature was a little nicer to us today than she was yesterday,” Los Angeles Fire Department Capt. Erik Scott said in a press conference. Evacuation orders for the area were lifted on Thursday morning.
The fires have consumed vast swaths of land, forcing communities to flee and leaving behind a trail of destruction. Firefighters continue to work tirelessly, bolstered by reinforcements from across the state, to protect lives and bring the infernos under control.
In Altadena, the Eaton Fire has burned through 10,600 acres with no containment in sight as of Thursday morning while the Hurst Fire, located north of San Fernando, has covered 855 acres and is 10% contained. In Acton, the Lidia Fire has reached 348 acres but shows some progress with 40% containment. Meanwhile, the Sunset Fire in Hollywood Hills, though smaller at 43 acres, is still entirely uncontained. Those wanting to track progress of the California fire can find up to date information HERE.
