Oakland firefighter: LA wildfires should be a wakeup call for shuttering stations

OAKLAND, Calif. - More than 20 firefighters from Oakland are on the front lines of the Eaton Fire in Southern California.

They've been there since Wednesday.

And with more Santa Ana winds expected this week, they're still not sure how long until they go home.

Nathan Leal said they've been working 24-hour shifts.

Each day, they make plans on how to evacuate people, prepare homes and clear hot spots. 

So far, what they're seeing is awful. 

And he said what's happening in Los Angeles County should be a wake-up call for Oakland, which just temporarily shuttered some fire stations. 

"It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when another fire will ravage our community," Leal said. "When we are missing pieces, key pieces, fire houses that are put throughout our city strategically to be able to get to an emergency or fire to help minimize the impact the loss of life, business, homes, and property... That's very tough." 

The  Oakland City Council voted to temporarily shutter a handful of stations to help close a $130-million budget deficit. Even more stations are up for consideration next month.