Another 2,000 National Guard ground troops will join its aerial mutual aid assets in battling the swarm of lightning fires burning throughout much of Northern California. That brings the total to 2,400 troops ordered by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to provide personnel for hand crews, transportation and command and control support. More than...
Another 2,000 National Guard ground troops will join its aerial mutual aid assets in battling the swarm of lightning fires burning throughout much of Northern California. That brings the total to 2,400 troops ordered by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to provide personnel for hand crews, transportation and command and control support. More than 1,700 fires have been sparked in California over the last month, consuming more than 700,000 acres.
During the hot summer, the risks of heat exhaustion and heat stroke increase. A new CalOSHA warning about heat stress is especially important for firefighters as fire season kicks into high gear in Northern California.
As the battle continues to rage against a rash of devastating wildland fires, a 63-year-old volunteer firefighter for the Anderson Valley Fire Department has died on the lines. Robert Roland, a retired aerospace executive, collapsed while helping to lay hose line at a fire complex near Philo. He died later at an area hospital. Roland is the second California firefighter to have died after battling the blazes -- Newport Beach FF Kevin Pryor died of a brain hemorrhage less than a day after returning from the Humboldt Fire.
Nearly 1,000 people came together in San Rafael Tuesday to remember Southern Marin FD Deputy Chief Jeff Powers. The loyal member of Marin Professional Firefighters Local 1775 died June 26th of a heart attack while on duty at the firehouse.