Las Vegas NowLocal Firefighters Dispatched to California

Local Firefighters Dispatched to California

(Oct. 28) -- California Governor Grey Davis is calling on other states for help with fighting fires. And firefighters here in Nevada are answering that call. Nevada firefighters are helping battle the massive fires in our neighboring state. 140 firefighters from across Nevada have already been deployed.

The growing flames of the cedar fire are pushing hundreds of people out of their homes and drawing firefighters into the battle. Nevada Firefighter Eric Littman told Eyewitness News, "For us it's a once in a lifetime opportunity to assist our brothers and sisters in California who are obviously under a lot of work."

Only hours after the request came in, Eric Littman and 21 other firefighters from Las Vegas, Henderson and Clark County packed their bags and headed out to Santee, California just before 11 a.m. Santee lies 15 miles northeast of San Diego and is directly in the path of the ever growing cedar blaze. They will be helping to protect homes and businesses from the 206-thousand acre cedar fire, which is blamed for 11 deaths and the destruction of nearly 900 homes.

It's the first time Valley firefighters have ever been called on to help fight wildfires in California. The team of 22 firefighters consisted of 2 crews from the Las Vegas Fire Department, 2 crews from Henderson, and 1 crew from Clark County.

This team's job is to stop any more homes from being engulfed by spraying houses down with water and removing dry brush. "It's a whole different ballgame we'll just be trying to save as many structures or homes as we can," continued Littman. 

Their job will also be one of balance -- protecting homes and protecting their own lives on the front line of the blaze. And while Valley firefighters head out to help our neighbors in need, Henderson Fire Chief Jim Cavalieri says the safety of the Valley will not be jeopardized. "We're not depleting any resources that will be protecting our city these are reserve engine who have volunteered to go down there," Cavalieri said.

Tuesday evening, another strike team set off to California from the truck stop at Blue Diamond and I-15. They are the second strike team from Southern Nevada that's being sent to help fight the ravaging fires in Southern California. The team includes crews from Las Vegas, Henderson and the Nevada Test Site. And as this second strike team headed out the first team arrived.

The teams will remain in Santee for the next 72 hours unless the wildfire forces them to evacuate. 40 national guardsmen from Nevada also deployed for Southern California Tuesday morning. They will fight fires in the air and on the ground with the help of three helicopters and two fire trucks. If more firefighters are needed after three days, another crew will be sent in relief.