Little Fire Was Largest Wildfire LPFD Has Ever Fought, Chief Says

PLEASANTON, CA — Pleasanton leaders thanked emergency responders for helping contain the Little Fire and preventing its spread to nearby homes, and the community for its cooperation in evacuating and supporting the emergency response.

As of Thursday morning, the Little Fire is 65% contained and remains at 1007.3 acres, according to Cal Fire. The final evacuation orders were lifted Tuesday afternoon. No structures were impacted, and no injuries were reported aside from a minor firefighter injury. That firefighter was released from the hospital Wednesday, according to Cal Fire.

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"On behalf of the Pleasanton community and our City Council, I want to express our deep gratitude for the extraordinary service of first responders, emergency personnel, the City team, mutual-aid partners and volunteers during the Little Fire," Pleasanton Mayor Jack Balch said in a statement. "Their preparation, professionalism, courage, empathy and compassion were evident throughout the emergency and demonstrated what it truly means to be a Community of Character."

In a separate email, Balch noted that he will express the city's gratitude to staff and first responders at the rescheduled city council meeting July 27, and also encouraged the community to thank all of its first responders. Residents of Ruby Hill, one of the neighborhoods that had to evacuate, are planning an event to honor first responders and raise money for any related foundations, Pleasanton Weekly reported.

The Little Fire broke out Tuesday afternoon in an unincorporated area south of Pleasanton, and within a few hours ballooned to nearly 1,000 acres. Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department Fire Chief Aaron Lacey said that it was "the largest and most dynamic wildfire incident the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department has encountered to date."

Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for five zones, which affected 1,906 homes and other structures, and displaced approximately 6,098 residents, the city said. The city opened the Pleasanton Senior Center as an evacuation support center for displaced residents. According to city spokesperson Tiffany Thurber, about 154 people came to the center when it was activated, and three stayed overnight.

The shelter has been deactivated as of Thursday.

"The City of Pleasanton and the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department thank residents for responding promptly to emergency notifications, following evacuation orders and cooperating with public safety personnel throughout the incident," the city said. "Their actions supported an orderly evacuation and allowed first responders to concentrate on protecting lives and property."

The response brought together the CAL Fire Santa Clara Unit, the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department, the Pleasanton Police Department, Alameda County emergency personnel, and other regional mutual aid partners. Firefighters worked from the air and ground in challenging terrain, while police and emergency personnel supported evacuations, road closures, public notifications, and other critical response activities.

Firefighters were able to stop forward progress Tuesday night and establish a perimeter around the fire.

The city suggested a number of emergency readiness policies:

• Log onto ReadyForWildfire.org to create an evacuation plan, assemble an emergency supply kit, and learn more about wildfire preparedness.
• Register for AC Alert, Alameda County's free emergency notification system.
• Use Genasys Protect to check the status of their evacuation zone and view current evacuation warnings and orders.

For more information on the Little Fire, visit the CAL FIRE incident webpage.

SEE ALSO:

• 'Little Fire' Reaches Over 1000 Acres, Some Evacuation Orders Lifted
• Evacuation Orders Lifted For 'Little Fire'