A second team of South County firefighters deployed Friday to Southern California as part of a massive effort to contain several destructive wildfires.
This team of four South County firefighters follows another team of four firefighters who left for California on Wednesday.
They joined crews from other Snohomish County agencies including:
– Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue
– Tulalip Bay Fire (Snohomish County Fire District 15)
– Getchell Fire (Snohomish County Fire District 22)
– Arlington Rural Fire (Snohomish County Fire District 21)
– Central Whidbey Island Fire & Rescue
– Camano Island Fire and Rescue
According to a South County Fire news release, the first team is expected to arrive in the Los Angeles area Friday evening and is assigned to the Palisades Fire. The second team is expected to arrive in California and receive their assignment over the weekend. Each crew is expected to deploy for a minimum 18 days.
“We are grateful for these firefighters who volunteered to help with this extremely challenging response,” said Fire Chief Bob Eastman. “We hope for progress against these fires and look forward to our firefighters’ safe return.”
Firefighters who volunteer for deployment must maintain Red Card certification, qualifying them to work in wildland fire operations.
South County Fire currently has 18 firefighters on its Wildland Team who can assist with local, state and regional requests for support. Costs associated with deploying apparatus and personnel are reimbursed to South County Fire.
Thank you to all of the regional firefighters who will be assisting with the massive fires in the Los Angeles area.
I greatly appreciate your service to others. Safe travels and safe return.
Echoing what Nora Carlson said! Be safe.
Yes, it is so good our firefighters can help. What a tragic situation where so many homes have been destroyed.
Thank you to all these men and women who are helping fight this destructive fire. This was where I lived for over 30 years and where my children went to school and where I have many dear friends, including a daughter who has evacuated to safety. My daughters’ school has burned to the ground and I know of at least four friends whose homes are gone. I also have a friend in Santa Monica which is adjacent to Pacific Palisades who has been evacuated to safety as well. So this is very personal to me and I am deeply grateful and proud of our local firefighters going there to help.
Thank you from my heart.
Impressive show of support. Thank you, South County Fire.
Be safe!
From the an old Retired Chief Olson of Lynnwood and prior Deputy Chief Operations in Long Beach, California.