A Guide to Firefighters: Locals and Those From Far Away (Can You Believe We Have a Crew From Puerto Rico Here?)

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A crew from Miranda stops to contemplate the fires near Alderpoint. [Photo courtesy of the Miranda VFD]

Firefighters—-they save our homes and sometimes our lives. Right now they are battling heat and smoke to save homes across the Emerald counties. Let’s just take a moment to identify a few of the fire folks we have working on the Lightning Fires in our corner of California. The crews come from a surprising variety of local folk and government agencies.

First, (and our personal favorite,) the homegrown crews who work for free with our Volunteer Departments. However, they get paid while they work with Cal Fire on these big incidents…

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Aurora Studebaker and Chris McCoy of the Briceland VFD smile through the smoke, heat and dust while wearing heavy gear and carry the tools of their trade. [Photo by Shawn Studebaker.]

There are also salaried firefighters from departments around the state and beyond….

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Vehicles from San Franciso and Rio Dell fire crews are on the Southern Humboldt Complex. [Photo by Kelly Patton]

Of course, there are the Cal Fire folks…

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Morning briefing for Cal Fire as they prepare to get out to the frontlines of our fires. [Photo provided by Cal Fire]

…sometimes the inmate hand crews work closely with them.

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The inmate crews deserve respect for their hard work. [Photo from here]

There’s the California Conservation Crews:

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Members of the California Conservation Crew pose before working on the Route Complex. [Photo from InciWeb]

Then there’s the National Guard….

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Local folks were grateful to see the National Guard rolling into Alderpoint today. [Photo by LaDonna Auxier.]

And, finally, there’s the US Forest Service (USFS). We have crews here from across the United States. Below are few handsome folks from Florida but there are members of the USFS here from as far away as Puerto Rico.

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USFS crew from Florida on plane bound for California. They have been on fires in the Shasta–Trinity National Forest since Tuesday.

Chelsea Ealum, a Communications and public relations coordinator, for this crew told us, “In years past when Florida was been experiencing uncontrolled forest fires, California crews came here. We’re happy to be able to return the favor.”

And we’re really happy all these folks are here to help!  Thanks to them and to all the fighters of hot flames and thick smoke.

 

 

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31 Comments
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frank will
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frank will
8 years ago

hey kim, not finding alderpoint blocksburg fire updates. whats the current status? thanks for your time!

Lani
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Lani
8 years ago

Great pictures, Kym and others. Proud to see all the different types of crews fighting these horrendous fires. A bit extra proud that you put Miranda on first as they, my neighbors, have worked hard these past years to put together a super crew.

Carole Morgal
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Carole Morgal
8 years ago

Thank you Kym.. For going deeper than a press release. Putting faces to those putting in the hard work.

G-ma
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G-ma
8 years ago

Thank you so much to all the fire fighters from far away,we thank you from the bottom of our hearts to come here to help us YOU ROCK!!!and our local hero’s thank you doesn’t seem enough.

MendoAbDiver
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MendoAbDiver
8 years ago

2 BLM engine crews, one from Farmington BLM District in New Mexico and one from Nogales AZ are covering the CalFire station in Ft Bragg. That’s a long drive.

Shake
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Shake
8 years ago

Absolutely amazing people whom i will always hold in highest respects. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to each & every one of you!

Jimbob
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Jimbob
8 years ago

Godspeed.

T
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T
8 years ago

Yep, definitely going to do seasonal firefighting after the military. This looks fun. Awesome story kym.

Cathy Jorgensen
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Cathy Jorgensen
8 years ago
Reply to  T

Thank you for all you do! Be safe and God Bless you!

Millwright
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Millwright
8 years ago

I cannot express the depth of my gratitude for these beautiful and courageous people!
I personally know what it is to sit on the side of your bed and watch trees flare on the mountainside as these heroic souls fight through the night to save my home.
Thanks to each of you for your courage stamina and character.

Tresa
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Tresa
8 years ago

Met a sweet kid from Menlo Park fire at Safeway in Fortuna. Thanked him and found out how “impressed” he was about driving highway 36. Thanks to all the firefighters near and far for what you do!

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Jeremy Swartz
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Jeremy Swartz
8 years ago

I was called from miranda fire to help respond to the lightning fires. We hit the pine fire running with all other volunteers in Humboldt. We all felt the pride, the fear, the pain then we looked to each other for strength to pull through this fire we called hell. Day 1 day 2 day 3 came and we needed a breath of fresh air. Day 4 our strength was falling and day 5 came and we felt the tears of it all and when we looked to each other for something or anything we saw the pain and and through that we found strength from deep within. Day 6 our boots we’re so heavy we couldn’t bear the weight they heald then we hit alder point vfd station and enter with awe. A room of stuff from every where all over Humboldt. Our fellow people gave us a breath of fresh air and a lump in our throat. As I walked away I couldn’t thank the people enough for the most simple things that gave us a stronger step to kick some a–. We hit the line with strength from deep within. Day 7 we hit with all we had deep in the night. We pushed with all our strength and the fire was pushing harder and just when we felt we couldn’t push anymore a strike team from San Diego showed up and became our shield. I feel the fallen knew our pain and sent us some protection. To see and feel a group of men and woman show up like that when you need them the most makes you feel as if they are sent from the heaven above. When they were told thank you for showing up with tears in my eyes they replied with the same tear no thank you for holding the front till we got here. How do you reply to that other than a look into each other’s eye’s and feel one thing Get Some. As day 8 9 and 10 come and go we are in awe as we see the push from all the firefighters come as one and push the fire back. With pure exhaustion we step back demob and breath and come home. We did it we came home. Without the selfless acts from our locals and other firefighters I could never be what I am today humbled. To all whom took the the call I stand with pride knowing I stood beside you. From one firefighter to another stand with pride as we stand for all. Get some and God bless. To the miranda 5 I’m proud to be one and to all the firefighters family’s thanks for supporting and putting up with us as we walk where the devil dances

CoveDweller
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CoveDweller
8 years ago
Reply to  Jeremy Swartz

That was awesome! Thank you…

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CoveDweller
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CoveDweller
8 years ago

I was filled with pride when I saw this photo of an engine from my home town, 650 miles away! Thank you to every single one of these firefighters. You are special souls who put yourselves in the line of danger to save others. God bless you!

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