Central Coast agencies deploying crews to assist with wildfire, hurricane relief
CENTRAL COAST Calif. (KION) Central Coast crews are being sent out to assist with wildfires raging in northern California and also damage left in the wake of Hurricane Ida.
Despite these natural disasters being outside the Central Coast. The American Red Cross and our local police and fire departments are providing assistance to help with the damage caused by Hurricane Ida and the Dixie and Caldor Fires up North.
“People really need our help right now and we're able to provide it,” said Barbara Woods, an American Red Cross volunteer.
The Caldor fire has forced more than 300 families to evacuate from their homes. Woods and ten other volunteers from the Central Coast are among those providing shelter, help, and support.
“People in these shelters on the outskirts of Sacramento have actually been here for a couple of weeks so they are tired and anxious,” said Woods.
Meanwhile, on the frontlines, fire crews are fighting a difficult battle. Members of the Watsonville Fire Department are part of the Santa Cruz County Strike Team. Watsonville Fire currently has one engine and five firefighters at the Caldor Fire, including a Battalion Chief who is the strike team's leader. But this isn’t the only team they’ve deployed. Another team was sent out earlier this month to help fight the Dixie fire.
“We've already swapped out a crew, they did 14 days,” said Battalion Chief, Wallace Kirt Vojvoda. “This crew that's out there right now is finishing up their 14 days. And now we're gonna send another crew out there that possibly will be out for 14 days.”
However, it doesn't stop there. The Salinas Fire Department is also part of the Hurricane Ida response. A salinas firefighter is on the Oakland-based fire team that's headed to Louisiana to help with search and rescue.
“It's incredible, you know, not only are we able here to help here with our community. But, because of our level of training and expertise, and experience, we're also able to learn that on a national level,” said Salinas Fire Battalion Chief Douglas Dirksen.
Watsonville Police Department officers also made their way north to help the Pluma County Sheriffs Office with the Dixie Fire.
