Torlakson Issues Emergency Declarations: Several Local Firefighters Assisting

Several firefighters from the Mother Lode are helping to battle large fires burning in Monterey and Los Angeles counties.

The Soberanes Fire burning in Monterey County, north of Big Sur, is 23,568 acres and 10% contained. There are several evacuations in place as 2,000 structures are threatened. 20 homes and two outbuildings have been destroyed. 3,079 firefighters are assigned to the incident.

The Sand Fire in Los Angeles County is 38,346 acres and 40% contained. There are 2,937 firefighters assigned. Several homes remain under evacuation orders.

Acting Governor Tom Torlakson has issued a State of Emergency Declaration for both Monterey and Los Angeles counties.

CAL Fire Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit spokesperson Lindy Shoff reports that multiple local resources are assigned to the incidents. In Monterey County there are five engines, four hand crews, three strike teams, two safety officers, a dozer, Battalion Chief and a Medical Emergency Response Team.

In Los Angeles County, there are six engines, a strike team, Battalion Chief and a Medical Emergency Response Team.

By percentage, it is 50% of the TCU engines, 60% of the TCU hand crews and 50% of the TCU dozers.

Per Unit Chief Josh White, the unit is holding all personnel on duty from firefighter to Battalion Chief. The unit is also staffing all available local engines with help from extra personnel being held on.