Rising Temperatures Hinder Battle Against California Wildfires

Los Angeles County Local 1014 members and fire investigators Bill Westcott (left) and Terry Wilkinson survey a destroyed home in Big Sur.

July 8, 2008 – Cooler weather over the July 4 weekend provided some relief for fire fighters battling the California wildfires, but that relief is expected to be short-lived as temperatures are predicted to rise above 100 degrees this week.

Since the fires ignited, more than 21,000 fire fighters – over half of them IAFF members – have been called to the fires’ frontlines. To date, more than 595,000 acres and at least 69 homes have burned. While more than 1,400 fires have been contained, 330 remain active.

“All of California’s IAFF locals have at least some personnel on the frontlines,” says Lou Paulson, president of the California Professional Firefighters (CPF). “In some cases, sources are so depleted, there is some concern that fire fighters will have difficulty responding to emergencies out of their home fire stations.”

CAL FIRE, in particular, has been maintaining a constant rotation of personnel. “The size and number of our fires continue to drive huge shortages of engines and fire crews,” says Bob Wolf, president of Local 2881. “Additionally, the oncoming heat wave does not bode well for our fire fighters. Many of our folks are into their second or third 21-day cycle out on the frontlines.”

A growing population and urbanization is stretching fire service resources too thin. Accordingly, CPF has been working with the state’s Blue Ribbon Task Force, which has recommended an additional 150 fire apparatus be pre-positioned in high-risk areas year-around to ensure quicker response. The Task Force has also recommended that CAL FIRE’s engines be staffed at four at all times.

Since those recommendations have yet to be fully enacted, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger ordered the California National Guard to deploy between 400 and 500 ground forces for the first time in three decades to assist the fire fighters.

Despite resource shortages, progress has been made on some of the largest fires. Big Sur fire containment is up from 5 percent to 11 percent. So far, the blaze has burned about 75,000 acres and 22 homes. Full containment is not expected until the end of July.

Near Santa Barbara, the blaze known as the “Gap Fire” had been closing in on thousands of homes. However, crews have been able to nearly stop the fire at the southern end, keeping some residences out of harm’s way. Heavy fuels and rugged terrains have prevented similar success on the northwest end of the fire.

The sheer number of wildfires has spread smoke in portions of central and northern California. Because of poor air quality, people with respiratory problems living in Sacramento, Yolo, Placer and El Dorado counties are currently being advised to stay inside.

There have been a number of minor fire fighter injuries. Heat exhaustion and dehydration are big issues. One IAFF member – Newport Beach Local 3734 fire fighter Kevin Pryor -- died of a brain aneurysm, which was attributed to his frontline efforts on a Butte County fire last month.