Local firefighters serve in command, logistics, operations, planning and safety roles as 622-acre wildfire nears full containment
Members of the Folsom Fire Department have been part of the large regional firefighting effort battling the Floriston Fire near Truckee, lending local expertise to an incident that at its peak brought more than 1,600 firefighters and support personnel to the rugged Interstate 80 corridor near the California-Nevada state line.
Folsom Fire announced this week that department personnel deployed with the Sacramento Regional Incident Management Team to assist with the wildfire, which began Sept. 16 near Interstate 80 and Floriston Way, approximately nine miles northeast of Truckee.
Rather than serving in a single assignment, Folsom personnel have filled several roles supporting management of the incident, according to the department.
“Our personnel recently deployed with the Sacramento Regional Incident Management Team to support operations on the Floriston Fire,” Folsom Fire said in its statement. “Department members served in key roles across Incident Command, Logistics, Operations, Planning, and Safety.”
Those assignments are part of the behind-the-scenes structure needed to manage a wildfire response involving hundreds — and at times more than 1,500 — personnel from numerous agencies. Incident management teams coordinate everything from firefighting strategy and crew assignments to equipment, supplies, safety, communications and planning for subsequent operational periods.
“Complex incidents require strong coordination, and we are grateful to work alongside our local, state, federal, and law enforcement partners,” Folsom Fire said.
The deployment is another example of the regional mutual-aid system that allows personnel from agencies such as Folsom Fire to assist communities facing major emergencies while maintaining emergency coverage at home.
The Floriston Fire erupted shortly after 10 a.m. Sept. 16 and quickly became a significant wildfire incident. CAL FIRE initially reported the blaze at approximately 20 acres with what officials described as a dangerous rate of spread. Strong winds pushed the fire east while crews reported long-range spotting, prompting a rapid buildup of ground and air resources.
Within hours, the fire had grown to nearly 300 acres. It ultimately reached more than 600 acres while burning through steep terrain in the Truckee River Canyon.
The fire also created significant transportation impacts along one of Northern California’s busiest travel corridors. Westbound Interstate 80 was closed at the Nevada state line during the early stages of the incident as firefighters worked near the freeway and the fire threatened the highway corridor. Evacuation orders and warnings were also issued for areas in Nevada and Sierra counties.
By Sept. 18, the response had grown to 1,579 personnel, including 107 engines, 51 hand crews, 18 helicopters, 14 bulldozers and 16 water tenders, according to CAL FIRE. By the following morning, staffing had climbed to 1,613 personnel as crews continued working the fire.
Conditions have improved considerably since then. As of CAL FIRE’s latest incident update Tuesday evening, Sept. 22, the Floriston Fire stood at 622 acres and 96% containment. The fire remained classified as an active incident, but evacuation warnings had been lifted and both westbound lanes of Interstate 80 were open. The westbound Farad exit remained closed in the latest CAL FIRE update.
CAL FIRE reported 1,175 personnel still assigned to the incident Tuesday, including 62 engines, 34 hand crews, eight helicopters, 25 water tenders and three bulldozers. The cause of the fire remained under investigation.
No structures were listed as destroyed or damaged in CAL FIRE’s latest incident report, and no civilian or firefighter injuries or fatalities were reported.
The incident has been managed through a multiagency response involving the CAL FIRE Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit, California Highway Patrol, U.S. Forest Service Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and Tahoe National Forest, along with other participating agencies and personnel.
For Folsom’s deployed personnel, the assignment also brought an unexpected reminder that support for firefighters can travel well beyond the communities where they normally serve.
Folsom Fire thanked Susan Bower of Creekside Charter School, who delivered handwritten thank-you cards from students to department members participating in the response.
“Ms. Bower delivered handwritten thank-you cards from students to our members — your support means a lot to our crews,” the department said.
While the Floriston Fire is now approaching full containment, crews continue working within the fire area to secure containment lines, address remaining hot spots and complete other operations before the incident can be declared fully contained.
For Folsom Fire personnel, that work has placed members of the city’s department alongside firefighters, law enforcement officers and emergency management personnel from across the region and state in the coordinated effort to bring the weeklong wildfire under control.
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