Newport Beach Fire Dept. Helps Battle Regional Wildfires

Press release from the City of Newport Beach:

Nearly 30 Newport Beach firefighters have been deployed during the past several weeks to help battle some of the record-breaking wildfires that have consumed more than 3.4 million acres throughout California so far this year.

As of Friday, September 18, 11 NBFD firefighters are deployed at four fires throughout the state: The Bobcat Fire in L.A. County, the El Dorado Fire in San Bernardino, the Oak Fire in Mendocino, and the Creek Fire in Fresno. Those firefighters are nearing the end of a two-week deployment and will be returning Saturday, September 19, to be replaced by a fresh crew of 8.

“I want to acknowledge the incredibly difficult work being done by members of our Newport Beach team and firefighters throughout the state of California,” said Newport Beach Fire Chief Jeff Boyles. “These are the most challenging fires we have ever faced in California. It takes a tremendous amount of courage and stamina to battle these fires over 12-hour shifts.”

The El Dorado Fire has claimed the life of one firefighter with the U.S. Forest Service, the agency announced Friday. That blaze, which has now burned 21,000 acres, was started by pyrotechnics used at a gender reveal party over Labor Day weekend.

“It’s a tragic reminder to everyone that bad decisions can have deadly consequences,” Boyles said. “Under these dry, hot conditions, there is no place for fireworks of any kind.”

In addition to the wildfire deployment, members of the NBFD have also worked as part of an Orange County team to protect high risk areas within the County, Boyles said.

This press release was produced by the City of Newport Beach. The views expressed here are the author’s own.