Firefighters call for help in raging wildfires

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Major fires ignited by a series of lightning in the past couple of days consumed the state of California, leaving 33 casualties and two deaths.
• The state’s firefighters claimed that they are “taxed to the limit” as they call for assistance from other states.
• According to Governor Gavin Newsom, California was able to obtain a federal grant that would refund some of the expenses.

A bizarre series of lightning struck California and started major fires that overwhelmed the state’s firefighters.

According to Daniel Berlant, an assistant deputy director with the state Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the fires devastated 175 structures, including residences, and served a threat to 50,000 more. 

Around 33 people composed of civilians and firefighters were casualties. Two people have died.

Despite having over 10,000 firemen dealing with the fires, fire official supervisors were claiming that they needed more help and reinforcements. Some of them were already working for three consecutive days. California has already sought an additional 375 engines and firemen from neighboring states.

“That’s going to allow our firefighters that have been on the front line since this weekend to have an opportunity to take some rest,” Berlant said.

Having been in service for 25 years, Marin County Fire Chief Jason Weber said that they have never witnessed “this level of draw-down” from assigned departments, all the more the west coast is struggling with workforce and equipment.

Weber said that he was awaiting assistance from Montana this weekend.

According to California Fire Chief Mark Brunton, one of the best strategies that firefighters can do given the lack of resources is to force people out of their homes. However, some residents disregarded the move when officers came by on Wednesday night.

“With the resources that we are lacking, we ask you to help us to help us to do our jobs and to keep the public safe,” he said.

At the fire near Santa Cruz, Incident Commander Mike Smith said that their agency “is taxed to the limit.” They are still awaiting aid from other states. Unfortunately, the US Forest Service was also occupied with battling the fires on federal lands so they won’t be able to help.

“This is a very dangerous fire. The probability of an ember igniting something is 100 percent, which is very high. Embers are traveling as far as a mile and igniting trees and brush,” Smith said.

California Firefighters Union President Tim Edwards said that legislators need to provide additional cash assistance as the firemen are already working for nearly two months without receiving any support.

“Here we are, we’re not even into our peak fire conditions, and we don’t have enough resources throughout the whole state because we’re stretched so thin,” he said.

Withdrawing from his speaking engagement at the Democratic National Convention on Thursday, California Governor Gavin Newsom said that they secured a federal grant to compensate for some of the expenses.

Source: Yahoo News