Long Beach Fire Department Engines 13, 12, 10, 7 and 1 (ST-1321A) are heading north to assist with multiple fires in Wine Country. This “strike team” was earlier sent to assist with Canyon Fire 2 operations as part of the California Office of Emergency Services’ California Mutual Aid system. Photo courtesy of LBFD.
The Canyon Fire 2 may still be burning in the Anaheim area but Long Beach firefighters assigned there are on their way up north for their next assignment, where as of Wednesday afternoon 21 people have died and more than 160,000 acres have burned in Wine Country.
The Long Beach Fire Department’s “strike team” in Orange County has been redeployed to the Central Complex-Sonoma/Napa Fire, LBFD spokesman Peter Kusel told the Post Wednesday.
The team is composed of five engines equipped with four personnel in each and a strike team leader and assistant in a suburban-style vehicle for a total of 22 personnel combined, he added.
“All members of the team are doing well and report no injuries,” Kusel said.
LBFD’s help was requested in Anaheim on Monday. Officials stated Wednesday morning that the fire has burned through 8,000 acres and destroyed 13 homes and two other structures in the area. So far, 45 percent of the fire has been contained, with full containment expected Saturday.
In Northern California, however, officials warn the fire, which is still considered 0 percent contained, may last several more days and the situation remains very dangerous. Strong winds are forecasted for Wednesday evening and Thursday morning, threatening to spread the embers, the Los Angeles Times reported.
According to the Times, more than 160,000 acres have been scorched by the fire and about 3,500 structures have been destroyed while the death toll stands at 21 and mandatory evacuations continue to be ordered.
Kusel said the LBFD estimates that they will be assigned to that incident for up to 10 more days.
City News Service contributed to this report.