San Diego-Area Firefighters Help Battle Detwiler Fire

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA – San Diego-area firefighters are in Mariposa County Thursday helping battle a wildfire that has burned more than 70,000 acres and destroyed 29 structures over the last few days.

Crews from San Diego Fire-Rescue Department and Lakeside Fire Protection District, as well as Chula Vista, National City and Santee fire departments, are among those working to extinguish the so-called Detwiler Fire burning near Yosemite National Park.

As of Thursday morning, Cal Fire officials said 1,500 structures remained threatened and the fire was just 10 percent contained.

Gov. Jerry Brown on Tuesday declared an emergency, bolstering the state's resources to battle the blaze. Local firefighters are working as part of the California Mutual Aid system.

"SDFD and all of the fire agencies throughout the county actively participate in the statewide mutual aid system," said San Diego Fire-Rescue Chief Brian Fennessy.

Fennessy added that the level of emergency service in local communities would not be affected.

Santee fire officials said their crews would likely be committed for a long period of time to help with containment, protect infrastructure and defend property.

Also see:

Detwiler Fire Burns Over 45K Acres Near Highway 49

City News Service contributed to this report.

Photos credit: Noah Berger/Associated Press; Merced County Sheriff's Office via AP