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Members of a Pasadena Fire Department strike team battled the Glass Fire burning in Northern California’s wine country from Sept. 27 to Oct. 7. (Credit: Pasadena Fire Department)
Members of a Pasadena Fire Department strike team battled the Glass Fire burning in Northern California’s wine country from Sept. 27 to Oct. 7. (Credit: Pasadena Fire Department)
Members of a Pasadena Fire Department strike team battled the Glass Fire burning in Northern California’s wine country from Sept. 27 to Oct. 7. (Credit: Pasadena Fire Department)
Pasadena, San Gabriel and Calfire firefighters work to rescue a fellow firefighter who went into anaphylactic shock and stopped breathing while battling the North Complex Fire in Northern California on Sept. 15. (Credit: Pasadena Fire Department)
Credit: Pasadena Fire Department
Credit: Pasadena Fire Department
Credit: Pasadena Fire Department
Credit: Pasadena Fire Department
Credit: Pasadena Fire Department
Credit: Pasadena Fire Department
Credit: Pasadena Fire Department
Credit: Pasadena Fire Department
Credit: Pasadena Fire Department
Credit: Pasadena Fire Department
Credit: Pasadena Fire Department
Credit: Pasadena Fire Department
Credit: Pasadena Fire Department
After three months of the constant deployment of strike teams to help control more than a dozen massive wildfires that have recently torn through California, as of Thursday all of the Pasadena Fire Department firefighters dispatched statewide to assist had returned to the city, at least for the time being, officials said.
Seventy-nine Pasadena Fire Department firefighters have traveled near and far since July 8 to help their colleagues amid California’s “worst fire season in history,” said Pasadena spokesperson Lisa Derderian. In some cases, the same firefighters made multiple trips over the past three months.
The last of the firefighters who remained on deployment through the statewide “mutual aid” system returned home Thursday, Derderian said. They had been assigned to the 67,000-acre Glass Fire burning in Northern California’s wine country.
Pasadena firefighters have responded to 15 major fires throughout the state this summer, ranging from the Bobcat Fire in the nearby Angeles National Forest to the July Complex Fire in the Modoc National Forest at the state’s northern border, officials said.
No injuries to local firefighters were reported during the deployments, despite working in “horrific conditions,” Derderian said.
“We thank our community and city management for allowing us the opportunity to support other counties and neighboring cities affected by these unprecedented wildland fires. We know that if fires of this magnitude occur in our foothills we would have the support of our Fire Department partners throughout the state,” said Pasadena Fire Department Interim Chief Bryan Frieders.
“It is also important to recognize those firefighters who came in on their days off to cover those who were deployed to these incidents,” Frieders said. “This is yet another shining example of their firm commitment to the fire service and to our community.”
Deployed assets included fire engines, water tenders, Rapid Extraction Module Support (REMS) teams, fire line emergency medical technicians, and strike team leaders, officials added.
The extraordinary level of wildfires seen this year in California thus far came even before the Santa Ana winds made their appearance in Southern California in full, something which generally occurs in October, Derderian said.
“We’re anticipating additional responses,” she said. “It’s a good reminder for all our residents to be prepared, have a plan in place and ensure you discuss with every member of your family how to build [an emergency] kit, make a plan and get trained.”
See also:
Pasadena Firefighters Battle Wildfires in Northern California Wine Country
Pasadena, San Gabriel Firefighters Rescue Colleague at North Complex Fire
Local Firefighters Battling Massive Apple Fire
Pasadena Firefighters Deployed to Massive Lake Fire
Pasadena Firefighters Deploy to Moccasin Fire in Mariposa County
Pasadena Firefighters Return From Deployment to Wildfires
Pasadena Firefighters Deploy to El Dorado Fire in San Bernardino County
Pasadena Firefighters Head to Massive Crews Fire in Santa Clara County
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