Bay Area continues sending reinforcement to LA fire frontlines

Bay Area sends more resources to help on-going battle against LA wildfires

Two Bay Area fire departments sent crews south to supplement firefighting efforts on multiple fronts in the battle to gain containment of serveral wildfires burning in the Los Angeles area.

OAKLAND, Calif. - Los Angeles fire and county officials said on Friday that calmer winds are forecast for the LA area over the weekend. However, the next round of Santa Ana winds could start blowing Sunday night.

This raised the specter of renewed firefights and new firestorms. So, first responders poured everything into efforts to increase containment of flames burning several areas of the Southland.

"Due to the favorable overnight weather conditions, and their diligence, and I'll focus on the diligent work and effort and commitment of our first responders, we can report that the Palisades Fire is now 8% contained," said Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristen Crowley.

Forward progress has been stopped on the Kenneth Fire and other pockets of flames, according to the LA County fire chief. And officials said smaller fires were doused before they could grow into the next major problem.

"LA Fire also responded to and extinguished fires in Pacoima, Hollywood, Studio City and more," said Mayor Karen Bass, (D) Los Angeles.

The Bay Area continued sending first responders south to help in the firefight. Oakland's fire chief, Damon Covington, said his teams work seamlessly with the LAFD.

"It is a very coordinated attack. So, they're asked to do a specific task. As a group, they move together. They do what needs to be done. And then they'll give additional orders and as a group they'll move to where they're needed," said Covington.

Marin County also supplemented its presence on the front lines. Battalion Chief Graham Groneman arrived late Thursday night, and by the next morning he was boarding an aerial tour to better assess obstacles.

"The challenges are greater when it comes to an incident outside of our primary area. But we're well accustomed to it," he said. "We're very used to working with these partners from around the state and trying to achieve the mission that we set out to do."

As crews pushed to contain the flames, a political fire raged around LA Mayor Karen Bass.

Critics pointed to fire budget reductions — which were soon thereafter restored — as a contributing factor to the infernos. They said her administration should shoulder the blame.

"Obviously, any budget cut is gonna impact our ability to provide service. That's, at this point, that is ground truth," said Crowley.

National Guard units assisted local police patrols in cities such as Pasadena, Azusa, Santa Monica, Arcadia, and the LAPD, to keep evacuated areas safe.

"We're not doing this to inconvenience anybody, we're doing it to protect the structures, the houses that people have left," said Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna. "If somebody's caught doing this they're gonna get cited and booked. We are not screwing around with this."

Added LA District Attorney Nathan Hawkman, "Eventually we will get to the causes of those fires. And at that point the DA's office will be working with law enforcement to go after anyone who's guilty of the crime of arson."

LAPD officials said one person has been detained so far and could be charged with arson.

Jesse Gary is a reporter based in the station's South Bay bureau. Follow him on the Instagram platform, @jessegontv and on Facebook, @JesseKTVU

Wildfires Cal Fire Los Angeles