Three members of BVFD took Engine 5436, our Type III wildland rig, down to Lake County last night as part of a five-engine strike team from Humboldt County. The Wye Fire and nearby Walker Fire started two days ago and have now burned 7,000 acres, with 30% containment reported as of this morning.
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Our crew will be on this assignment for a few days. If we’re still needed, three other BVFD members will rotate in to replace them. Being volunteers, we have other lives to attend to, so can’t usually pick up and leave for the duration of what might be an extended incident.
Cal Fire reimburses Briceland Fire for our time and equipment when we go to fires in other areas and this is an important source of revenue for the Department. While this is our third such assignment this year, we see it as a funding bonus, too inconsistent to rely on. The proposed Briceland Fire Protection District will give us that funding stability. If you’ve received your ballot, please vote YES and be sure to put it in the mail SOON!
Hopefully the crew will shoot some good photos while they’re down in Lake County. We’ll keep you updated.
