As California Smolders, Pasadena Fire Dept. Recaps Mutual Aid Contributions, Commitments

Pasadena Fire Department personnel have either deployed or prepositioned firefighting assets in multiple fires that have broken out throughout California over last two months, including at least three fire incidents in Northern California.

As of last Friday night, only one Pasadena firefighter remained on duty outside Pasadena as a Pasadena Battalion Chief and two Pasadena Fire Dept. engines returned safely from deploying to the Kincade Fire in Northern California.

The Kincade Fire is considered the largest of the 2019 California wildfire season as of date.

In September, Pasadena crews also helped fight the South Fire in Tehama County which is further north.

Between October 10 and 13, two battalion chiefs and an engine and crew from Pasadena were also deployed to the Saddleridge Fire in Sylmar, near the San Fernando Valley, according to the report.

During the Tick Fire, another Los Angeles County incident, Pasadena committed two fire engines and a battalion chief and prepositioned a water tender in support of requirements by the California Office of Emergency Services (OES).

A Pasadena Fire Department representative will present the full report Monday at the meeting of the City Council’s Public Safety Committee, which takes place prior to the full City Council meeting.

Under the California Disaster and Civil Defense Master Mutual Aid Agreement signed in 1950, the City of Pasadena, as well as all other local jurisdictions in the state, are obliged to provide assistance, including firefighters, vehicles and equipment, to any other jurisdiction throughout California during an emergency such as a wildfire.

At its present application, the decades-old mutual aid agreement is implemented through the state Governor’s Office of Emergency Services under an e Emergency Management Mutual Aid plan developed following the 1994 Northridge earthquake.

Cal Fire (the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection) and the U.S. Forest Service said over 6,190 fires have been recorded throughout the state since May, with a total of 198,815 acres burned as of October 27.

Of these fires, more than 36 have burned more than 1,000 acres, or have produced significant structural damage or casualties.