“That’s an unheard of amount [of engines],” said Newport Beach fire Capt. Mike Mullen. “You should have seen it. All these engines headed in one direction on the Interstate 5. It looked like you’re going to war.”
A strike team is a group of more than 20 firefighters and five trucks sent out on a specific mission. Orange County’s four strike teams were requested to help protect the city of Paradise, a community of about 30,000 people. Firefighters acted similarly in October during the Santiago Canyon fire.
By the time both departments made it up to Butte County Friday morning, conditions had changed, officials said.
Newport Beach firefighters were part of a strike team that was never used, said department spokeswoman Jennifer Schulz. They remained in Butte County for most of the weekend and were sent home Sunday as firefighters brought the fire under control.
State officials expect to have the fire fully under control by today.
Costa Mesa firefighters fared slightly differently, with at least a few of the firefighters and an engine seeing some action protecting Paradise.
As of Monday afternoon, the Humboldt Fire had burned more than 23,000 acres and was 90% contained. It was hot and dry, but there was very little wind, making it easier for firefighters, said Suzi Brady, a state fire information officer. Eight firefighters have suffered minor injuries since Wednesday, mostly heat and burn related, Brady said.
JOSEPH SERNA may be reached at (714) 966-4619 or at joseph.serna@latimes.com.
