Ross Fire Department Fights Structure Fires in Southern California

Posted: December 6th, 2007

On October 21, 2007, Ross Fire Department Engine 18 responded to a mutual aid call to combat the devastating Southern California fires. Capt. Peterson, Eng. Grasser, and Apprentice Firefighter Mario Juarez joined crews from San Rafael, Novato, Mill Valley, and Marin County to create Strike Team 2126A. They were assigned to do structure protection, moving from neighborhood to neighborhood and protecting homes directly threatened by the Witch Fire in San Diego County. Ross Apprentice Firefighter Lorne Ahlers also responded as part of a
separate mutual aid team from Marin County. The crew fought spot fires over seven days, saving homes in and around the town of Ramona. Many of the homes destroyed were in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) area, and the firefighters noticed an appreciable difference in houses conforming to WUI building standards and those that did not. The Ross firefighters were greeted by grateful residents and experienced some terrible scenes. They met President Bush and Governor Schwarzenegger during the political leaders’ visits to the area.

Entry Filed under: Asides, Fire Dept News and Events, Fire_Asides