Firefighters from across nation lend welcome hand battling Sonoma County fires
Oregon firefighters labored Tuesday over smoldering tree roots along a steep, blackened stretch of countryside northeast of Santa Rosa, part of a second wave of firefighting muscle from 14 states and soon, Australia, on Sonoma County’s deadly fires.
The influx from western states and beyond has swelled firefighting ranks to 5,312 strong from 351 agencies. The far-flung aid highlights the national significance of these blazes, which have wrought cataclysmic destruction, killed 41 people across Northern California and left tens of thousands homeless.
“This is fairly unprecedented for any disaster in California to have all these resources from other parts of the country,” said Cal Fire spokesman Jonathan Cox. “We’re a big resource-rich state. This is a big deal.”
Santa Rosa Fire Chief Tony Gossner said he was grateful for the state’s strong mutual aid system in firefighting, with a network that reaches across the globe.
“It means a lot to have that kind of support,” Gossner said.
The gratitude continues from many directions.
Around town, firefighters can’t stop for a quick cup of coffee, bottle of water or a sandwich without a crush of handshakes, hugs and insistent offers of free Joe and food. Some veterans privately admit dropping a few tears in response to the outpouring.
Homemade signs of thanks hang on fences, highway overcrossings and mailboxes in front of destroyed homes. Firehouses have become so buried in cookies, cakes and meals that some supplies have been sent on to shelters and homeless services. One touching mailed-in packet came from Oakland elementary students to Santa Rosa firefighters after smoke blanketed their school more than 60 miles away.
“Dear fire mans Thank You very much!” started one note that ended with a drawing of fire.
Arizona firefighters, on a two-day drive to Sonoma County, got a taste of the love long before they arrived.
“The closer we got to you guys the more people started to honk and wave and thumbs up,” said Beaver Dam Fire Chief Jeffrey Hunt, who was behind the wheel of one of five engines bound for Santa Rosa. “On Interstate 5 we got more and more. On 101 we got a whole bunch of it.”
Out-of-state fire engines now are seen throughout the fires’ reach, mixed in with locals or on their own, holding fire lines, protecting homes and clearing brush.
Washington firefighters Tuesday wrapped up ?24 hours working in the hills above Geyserville. Arizona firefighters mopped up hot spots near Calistoga. More Oregon firefighters patrolled Bennett Valley and Kenwood, and Alaskan fire service workers helped keep supplies moving.
About 20 Australian firefighters are due in Santa Rosa today. They’ll be outfitted with safety gear, briefed and acquainted with local firefighting verbiage to make sure conversions such as hectares to acres are clear.
“We want to make sure we’re all talking the same language,” said Gossner.
Thursday they’ll be sent to a fire. It’s a reciprocal program with Cal Fire officials who have sent firefighters to the distant continent to help on their giant wildfires, Gossner said.
A group of Canadian firefighters also are making their way to Northern California this week but Tuesday it wasn’t clear if they would be assigned to Sonoma County’s fires, a state official said.
Sonoma County’s call for outside help launched dozens of strike teams as officials mobilized firefighters from throughout California and western states. Many drove non stop to reach the fires.
In Oregon, Sonoma County’s call was a chance at repayment of sorts. California firefighters, including some from Sonoma County, went north earlier this year to bolster efforts on Oregon’s run of destructive fires.
“Our folks really appreciated it,” said Jim Walker, Oregon state fire marshal. “When the call came out for this incident, instantly we filled the first 10 strike teams requested in a two-hour time period.”
In all, 75 engines, 15 other fire vehicles and 288 Oregon firefighters headed for Santa Rosa, driving all night to be on fire lines last Thursday morning. Oregon’s state forestry officials sent additional firefighters and equipment.
Firefighters in less-populated states are familiar with massive wildland fires gobbling up thousands of acres, but not the urban devastation and levels of evacuations they have faced here.
“Rolling in here and seeing the devastation and the amount of damage to the community was incredible,” said Eugene and Springfield fire Battalion Chief Lance Lighty. His Oregon strike team on Tuesday was putting out hot spots in Kenwood and Bennett Valley. “I can see why they had their hands full.”
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