Central Coast fire agencies helping with So Cal disaster

The search for nearly 50 people is going to take a lot of resources. Fortunately, emergency crews will be getting some help from the Central Coast.

CALFIRE and other central coast emergency response teams are already in Southern California doing what they can to help.

The San Benito-Monterey unit of CALFIRE has sent four hand crews, five engines, and a few overhead positions to the hardest hit areas in Santa Barbara County, specifically Montecito. The area is also receiving five engines and a crew from local government operators in Monterey County. Their main focus will be search and rescue as time is short for victims who may be trapped or buried in debris, as well as diverting additional water and debris away from living areas. These debris and mudslides are a direct result of wildfires that ravaged different parts of the state last year, and CALFIRE wants to remind people that caution must always be taken.

“We very much stay in year round fire season. The overall risk might have lessened because we thankfully got some rain over the last few days, however there is still significant risk out there so we will maintain some level of staffing,” said CALFIRE PIO, Jonathan Pangburn.

The San Benito-Monterey CALFIRE unit has had to put a few projects on hold while their crews are helping out down south, which includes managing fire fuels in places like Carmel Valley. The temporary loss of personnel will not affect their ability to respond to emergency situations however.

CALFIRE added there is no timetable as to when their crews and engines will return, and they will stay until they’ve done everything they can to help.