CHOMP nurses treat firefighters after poison oak exposure

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION) An around-the-clock firefight continues in Monterey County. Crews on the River, Carmel and Dolan fires stay on guard and will until they are fully contained.

"It's hot, dry. The winds were going there for a while. There is really remote terrain. It's very steep, rocky terrain," said Sam Filson with CalFire.

Filson is responding to the Carmel Fire and has given insight to the tough conditions crews are facing.

Big Sure Fire Chex, Matt Harris, said the same is true on site of the Dolan Fire. "The coastal range is extremely steep and definitely rocky. It's very dangerous, especially for driving. Crews have a lot to look out for," said Harris.

Another challenge has been added to the list. Firefighters are now on high alerts to avoid poison oak. For nearly 40 firefighters in Big Sur, it's already too late.

"They had it on their neck, face, hands and legs. It is uncomfortable. For some strike teams, the entire crew was impacted by the poison oak," said Catherine Powers, Nurse Director at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula.

Powers volunteered to bring treatment to crews that reacted to the poisonous plants. Powers said medical resources on the Dolan Fire are limited.

The pharmacy at the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula donated $1,400 worth of treatment to crews to treat their reactions.

"It was an honor for me to be able to do that. It's an honor for me to work for an organization that was so willing to put out any resources they had from the pharmacy. They were so quick to act on that," said Powers.