More firefighters arrive as Soberanes Fire grows; crews rely on family support through tough days

The Soberanes Fire has been burning for a week, and little cities filled with firefighters from all over the state have been popping up across the Central Coast.

“It’s definitely a challenge. I need a lot of support from our family, which they give immensely,” Santa Barbara firefighter Amber Anderson said.

For Anderson, leaving her kids at home is part of the job. She’s been here since Sunday and won’t go back home to for at least another week.

“I always tell them that I miss them, that I love them. And when I talk to them I try to take as much time as they like to tell me about their day,” Anderson said.

Away from home, Anderson’s day, like many others at Toro Park, involves sleeping wherever she can.

“Most of our firefighters are sleeping in hotels and motels. Sometimes, they’ll sleep on the fire line. It just depends what type of assignment they have for the day,” said firefighter Henry Herrera, from San Bernardino.

Herrera says being away from family is the hardest part. A new parent of a nine-week-old boy, he says talking to his wife keeps him going.

“She’s been sending me pictures; she’s been sending me video clips; she’s been telling me all the things he’s been doing and saying,” Herrera said. “It’s exciting.”

Crews are expecting a busy summer ahead, which for Anderson means being a firefighter and a mom.

“I’ll take them back-to-school clothes shopping and just get ready for sports season as well,” Anderson said. “Back to normal, unless there’s another fire the day after.”