Bay Area firefighters deploy to SoCal to help battle wildfires
SAN JOSE, Calif. - The multiple wildfires burning in Southern California are too large for any one fire department to battle alone. So, other fire agencies from around the state and Bay Area are sending help.
At San Jose Fire's training center on Wednesday, dozens of local firefighters prepared for deployment down south to fight five fires ravaging the southern parts of the Golden State.
"While there is a certain excitement and anticipation, every one of us is very aware that this is a dangerous occupation and that we will be in peril's way," said Battalion Chief Javier Ascencio of the San Jose Fire Department.
He said the first Strike Team, XSC 2302-A, left on Tuesday night, and on Wednesday at around 12 p.m. a second county strike team, 2302-A, was destined for the front lines of the Eaton Fire.
"We are trying to help out with the California mutual aid system. Our neighbors down south need our assistance," said Ascencio, as firefighters rushed about, trying to finish last-minute details before departure. "There are structures that have already burned and that is our primary focus — structure protection. Life safety and structure protection."
The second group comprised five engines -- one from Mountain View, San Jose, Sunnyvale, and two from the county. The 22 firefighters have special wildland fire training and tools to lend a hand for up to two weeks.
Alameda County fire officials said they're also adding a fire strike team to the fray. Engine companies from Oakland, Hayward, Fremont, and two from the counties are now in Southern California.
"They're preparing to get right into the heat of it, no pun intended, I'm sorry. But as soon as they get down there because there's a lot of fire activity going down. It's spreading fast, it's moving fast and there's really no time to rest," said Deputy Chief Ryan Nishimoto.
Santa Rosa sent a third strike team on Wednesday, after sending two teams on Tuesday night. Those firefighters will work battling flames in the Palisades Fire.
San Francisco sent five engines on Wednesday morning as part of its contribution to mutual aide. And San Mateo County has deployed its Task Force 2278 to the front lines.
For some of the firefighters from the South Bay, the race down Highway-101 to Pasadena to save lives and property is personal.
"A lot of our personnel have family down there in different areas. And since there are several active incidents, it's a good chance somebody's family, immediate family, has been evacuated," said Ascencio.
Santa Clara County fire officials said they have plenty of firefighters still on duty in the South Bay to handle anything that might happen.
Jesse Gary is a reporter based in the station's South Bay bureau. Follow him on the Instagram platform, @jessegontv and on Facebook, @JesseKTVU