Loma Fire enters fourth day

Firefighters continue aggressively fighting the Loma fire, as it’s getting bigger by the minute.

“We have fire crews that are on the ground that are cutting line by hand,” said Cal Fire Public Information Officer Jeremy Rahn. “We have bulldozers that are working the ground.”

Helicopters and aircraft are also continuing to drop retardant and water.

“Working on getting the side of the fire that is more contained,” said Rahn. “Come inside those containment lines and extinguish everything from the outside in to help hold those lines.”

Right now the location of the fire is their biggest challenge.

This area has very steep terrain, a lot of access areas are challenging,” said Rahn.

But recent weather patterns have been on their side.

“As the humidity levels get higher and the winds are off, it helps us to be able to get in there to improve those fire lines and improve the containment areas,” said Rahn.

As crews make headway residents are hoping for the best, but are getting ready for the worst.

“We’re prepared back here,” said Carmine Schelzi who lives on Little Uvas Road. “We’re probably the most prepared area around here.”

Schelzi said he is taking the mandatory evacuation in stride.

“It’s very emotional, emotional ups and downs,” said Schelzi. “But you have a job to do and everybody here is cooperating. We all live out in the forest together so we have to cooperate and move forward.”