CALIFORNIA – The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) recently sent a strike team of San Bernardino County firefighters to the Garnet Fire in the Sierra National Forest.
According to Cal Fire, evacuation orders are in place, and the fire is currently 14% contained.
Firefighters from San Bernardino County Fire, Rialto Fire, Ontario Fire Department, Colton Fire, and Loma Linda Fire Department were sent through the California Mutual Aid System.
Two battalion chiefs from San Bernardino County Fire led the team.
Cal OES maintains more than 270 fire engines with over 60 local partners, enhancing the state’s ability to respond to all types of incidents, including wildfires.
This strike team is equipped with a Type VI fire engine, the smallest in the fleet, designed for rapid initial attack on wildland fires.
Protecting Sequoias
One mission for OES Strike Team 6239F was protecting McKinley Grove, a small, isolated giant sequoia grove with 150–200 large trees.
These trees are the largest living organisms on Earth and can live more than 3,000 years.
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