Bay Area fire departments stretched with crews at Rocky Fire
CLEAR LAKE, Calif. (KGO) -- There's a delicate balancing act going on in California right now. Crews from around the state are heading to Lake County to fight the Rocky Fire, but local communities still need to be protected in case of a fire.
A strike team from the San Francisco Fire Department left for Lake County last week to help battle the monster Rocky Fire. The department is prepared to send more resources if needed, as long as local fire protection isn't compromised. Other states are ready too.
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San Francisco Fire Department spokesperson Mindy Talmadge told ABC7 News, "We've gotten calls from fire departments outside California saying 'Is there any way we can help?'"
Menlo Park firefighter Tony Eggimann is cooking dinner for the crew at Station 1, but he is on standby to coordinate meals and supplies for thousands of firefighters at the Rocky Fire as a base camp manager.
"You got your laundry, you got your showers, you got to set up where the campers camp, a traffic plan," Eggimann said.
Many firefighters have gear packed and ready to go.
"This is dangerous work these guys are doing out there," Menlo Park Fire Protection District Chief Harold Schapelhouman said. He is ready to help the firefight with any staffing he can provide, but his first priority is protecting his community. "It's scary dry and it's that dry around here too. So I think the balancing act is on now, statewide."
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And with bone dry conditions, fires keep raging on.
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