Arcadia Fire One of Many San Gabriel Valley Fire Depts. Battling Massive Rocky Fire

– Courtesy Photo

Engine 105 was dispatched as part of Strike Team 1205 A to the Rocky Incident in Lake County California earlier this week. Pasadena has also committed a strike team. On Tuesday, the weather gods sided with firefighters, as they battled the 100-square-mile Rocky Fire in Northern California.
But on Wednesday, the weather turned dry again, siding once more with the wildfire, and fire officials were telling some 13,000 evacuated residents to stay away from their homes, as they expect the battle against the flames to continue into next week.

As the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) continues coordinating a wide range of mutual aid resources for battling wildfires, the state’s law enforcement mutual aid system is also actively deploying law enforcement officers from around the state to protect lives, homes and property in communities where evacuations have left residents out of their homes and communities empty.

“It’s law enforcement’s role to conduct evacuations, protect lives, homes and property while ensuring law enforcement in areas threated by wildfires,” said Cal OES Law Branch Chief Mark Pazin. “We are responsible for sending teams of law enforcement officers from around the state to help local agencies respond to the challenges that wildfires pose, and to reassure anxious residents,” he said.

Cal OES coordinates law enforcement officers from jurisdictions all around the state using the Law Enforcement Mutual Aid (LEMA) system. Nearly One hundred mutual aid officers deployed to Lake and Trinity Counties are battling two of the biggest fires burning in Northern California. The mutual aid officers represent the California Highway Patrol, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California State Parks, Sacramento County Sheriff, Sacramento Police Department, Citrus Heights Police Department and others.

“The entire public safety community – law, fire and the civilian side – are working together for this perfect trifecta,” said Pazin. “So the system works.”

Law enforcement personnel deployed to these disasters are working around the clock. As one team of officers leaves, they will be replaced by another for as long as is needed to maintain law and order. If more wildfires erupt and stretch the resources of local law enforcement agencies in California, Cal OES has the ability to bring in officers from other states through a cooperative agreement called the Emergency Management Assistance Compact.

As of Wednesday morning, over 10,000 firefighters continue to battle 23 active wildfires across California. Tuesday’s cooler temperatures and high humidity gave firefighters a good opportunity to increase containment on several fires and overall make good progress. Today though temperatures are expected to go up and the likelihood of fire activity increase will go up as well. Late Thursday afternoon scattered thunderstorms are likely across many parts of Northern California increasing the risk of lightning-sparked wildfires. These dry thunderstorms are expected to continue through Friday.

Firefighters continue to work aggressively to build control lines and sustain perimeter control. Terrain is steep and rugged with limited access. Hotter drier conditions are expected to return during the day increasing the potential for fire activity throughout the fire area. Structure loss assessment numbers may rise as damage assessment teams are able to access the previously burned areas.

“Residents are urged to stay vigilant and adhere to any changes in evacuations and road closures.”
Fire activity and direction can change at any time, be prepared and stay informed. With the elevated fire danger, we are asking everyone to use extreme caution, “Ready, Set, Go.” For more information on how to prepare for wildfires, go to www.readyforwildfire.org.

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