Multiple wildfires rage across California right now and firefighters who normally battle home and business fires on city streets are finding themselves in different parts of the state in rural and wild terrain. One such group is Strike Team XLA-1075A. After seven days on the fire lines at the Cranston Fire in Idyllwild, firefighters in Strike Team XLA-1075A headed north. The Strike Team, which consists of 22 firefighters, five engine companies, and a battalion chief, was reassigned to help with blazes in that part of the state.
Martin Feinberg, Realtor, noted that the team includes eight Culver City firefighters, plus firefighters from Santa Monica and Beverly Hills. The team leader came from Los Angeles.
Strike Team XLA-1075A had originally planned to travel 26 hours to the Mendocino Complex fire in Northern California after leaving the Los Angeles area. However, at the last minute the team was redirected to the Eel Fire, a new blaze in Northern Mendocino County.
According to Culver City Battalion Chief Robert Kohlhepp, the team did eventually make it to the Mendocino Complex fire, and after 16 days away, was able to return home again. Strike Team XLA-1075A was then replaced by 44 other firefighters, including eight more from the Culver City Real Estate area.
The Mendocino Complex fire, which has now become the largest in California history, continues to draw relief crews from across the state. Local listing agent Martin Feinberg was surprised to learn that it has consumed more than 300,000 acres, or 470 square miles. That is an area of land bigger than the City of Los Angeles or the entire City of New York.
As of August 9, the fire had destroyed more than 100 homes and was only 50 percent contained. Officials do not expect full containment until September.
Kohlhepp commented that if released, Strike Team XLA-1075A might be reassigned to the Holy Fire burning in the Cleveland National Forest in Orange and Riverside counties. He stressed that Culver residents and businesses remain fully protected, and that the department still has adequate resources to deal with any local issues.
