OC Firefighters Assist With Sylmar, Ventura, Riverside Fires

ORANGE COUNTY, CA —Overnight, OCFA sent two strike teams, a structure defense strike team, and their Coulson Type 1 Helicopter to assist with the Saddleridge Fire, OCFA Capt. Paul Holaday told Patch.

"The helicopter dropped over 16,000 gallons of water on the Saddleridge Fireovernight," he said. "They're on a rest cycle right now, and will be back on tonight."

With Santa Ana winds comes a unity among Southern California fire districts. Fire watchers turn to the hills, alert for columns of smoke or signs of wildfire, and crews from Orange County Fire Authority were up-staffed and ready to lend a hand where needed. When calls came in from Sylmar, Moreno Valley, and Ventura, OCFA teams immediately headed north, heeding the call.

Back at home, Holaday assures that all Orange County stations remain fully staffed. That knowledge eases the minds of fire crews helping out in other areas.

After a night of water drops, structure defense, and attempts at building a fire line, the Saddleridge fire in Sylmar remained at zero percent contained. By 9 a.m., over 4,600 acres have burned. Thousands of residents remain displaced from their homes under mandatory evacuation. The fire crews expect to remain at work through the weekend.

"Southern California has an incredible mutual aid system. We've prepared in advance for this," he told us.

All fire agencies across California will work together in times of need, and departments "share the wealth" with equipment and specialized crews when it comes to fighting fires.

"OCFA had additional firefighters on alert through Saturday," Holaday said. "Wildland strike teams and structure defense strike teams were ready to immediately respond to any need. Dozers, hand crews, and three helicopters were also ready on a moment's notice.

On Thursday, when the Reche Fire broke out in Riverside County amid strong winds. OCFA sent a bulldozer and wildland firefighter hand crews to assist battling the blaze.

Not to worry, Holaday said. OCFA is still well staffed, and ready to protect our local communities.

Late, Thursday, OCFA also sent the Fire Integrated Real Time Intelligence System aircraft to lend aid during the "Wendy Fire," burning in Ventura.

That aircraft provides intricate details and perimeter mapping for "increased situation awareness," Holaday said.

Read also:

Southern California Wildfires: Thousands Evacuated, 5K Acres Burn

Saddleridge Fire In Sylmar Forces Evacuations, Burns Homes

Fire Erupts In Reche Canyon, Prompting Evacuations