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This is the second article in our recent Los Angeles Fires coverage.
The San Benito-Monterey Unit of CAL FIRE has sent a third of its staff to contain the fires raging in Los Angeles. The region’s Unit Chief, George Núñez, told BenitoLink they are fully committed to ending the “most catastrophic, most apocalyptic fire to date.”
To join the effort, they have gathered equipment from the cities of Hollister, Monterey, Salinas and the north county. They have sent 170 people, 160 firefighters and 10 workers to help with the logistics.
They have also deployed 20 engines, two bulldozers, three hand crews, the Pinnacles National Park fire crew, two fire crews from the Gabilan Conservation, and Hollister’s entire helicopter base.
Sending firefighters from other counties is a standard practice in California. As Hollister Fire Department Fire Chief Jonathan Goulding told BenitoLink, “no one has enough firefighters to handle everything.”
“The fire overwhelmed the city and the county’s fire departments in just a few hours,” said Chief Núñez.
Staff from the San Benito-Monterey Unit of CAL FIRE has been in LA since the fire ignited. They are all fighting to put out the Palisades and Eaton fires, which are currently 14% and 33% contained, respectively.
“We have been there since the beginning, and we’ll be there till the end,” said Chief Núñez. “We’re going to lend our hand and be there in the recovery and rebuilding.”
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