Cars are left charred inside a dealership in the aftermath of the Eaton Fire on Jan. 10, 2025 in Altadena, California.
Jae C. Hong/AP
The capital city of the Silver State has lent several firefighters to the battle against catastrophic wildfires in Southern California.
“We have five firefighters out in total, and all are assigned to the Eaton Fire,” Carson City Fire Chief Sean Slamon said Monday. “Four firefighters are part of a local engine strike team, and the other is on a command assignment.”
A roughly eight-hour drive south from Carson City, Los Angeles County is the most populous county in the nation, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and has seen tragedy in the last week due to large, wind-whipped wildfires.
The Eaton Fire, 33 percent contained as of Monday morning, had consumed more than 14,000 acres, destroyed or damaged an estimated 7,000-plus structures and claimed at least 11 lives, Cal Fire reported.
The Palisades Fire, 14 percent contained as of Monday morning, had consumed more than 23,000 acres, destroyed or damaged an estimated 5,000 structures and caused at least eight fatalities, according to Cal Fire.
The causes of the fires were under investigation Monday. Strong winds and dry conditions were forecast to last through Wednesday, with cooler conditions expected by Friday, according to Cal Fire.
“More than 15,000 dedicated firefighters, law enforcement, and emergency support personnel are tirelessly working to combat the wildfires in Southern California,” Cal Fire posted to Facebook on Monday. “While smoke has cleared in most of the areas impacted by the Eaton and Palisades fires, evacuations and curfews remain in place. Officials are maintaining these precautions to prepare for potential fire activity, complete damage inspections, complete critical infrastructure repairs, and address hazards like fallen trees and downed utility lines. Crews are working around the clock to facilitate these necessary duties.”
Slamon said he is “very confident” in CCFD personnel facing the fires.
“They are well-trained and equipped for emergencies such as these devastating fires,” he said. “We frequently train on the challenges wildfires present, and we experience similar wind and weather conditions that they are facing in Southern California.
“This past year, the Davis Fire was a wind-driven fire with very similar characteristics as we see in the fires in Los Angeles County. In L.A., they have the Santa Ana winds while we have the Zephyr winds, different names but similar in the fact that it is not unusual to have 50 mph winds coming downslope and spreading embers more than a mile in front of the head of the fire.”
Slamon said CCFD deployment length in Southern California will depend on containment.
“On large fire incidents such as these, we expect our firefighters to be assigned to the fire for 14 to 21 days,” he said. “There are times when we will extend the deployment beyond that; in that scenario, we will usually rotate personnel so the original crews can come home.
“Yes, I worry about my firefighters. We have a high-risk job and operate in a highly hazardous environment. However, I know they are the best of the best and will do everything possible to accomplish their mission and return home safely.”
As of Monday, Slamon said, he hadn’t heard of significant injuries to firefighters down south.
“I have no doubt that there have been many injuries to firefighters during these firefights, but hopefully, they are minor in nature,” he said. “As for the morale of our firefighters on the fireline — this is our calling, and they are exactly where all of us want to be, helping people and stopping a disastrous fire from spreading to adjacent communities. It is hard, labor intensive work with little rest. But in the same sense, it is very rewarding because they are making a difference; they are saving communities and lives.”
There are several ways to help victims of the L.A. wildfires, Slamon said. He recommended the following charities:
• California Fire Foundation cafirefoundation.org/what-we-do/for-communities/disaster-relief
“They work with local fire departments and community-based organizations to provide direct financial support to impacted residents,” Slamon said.
• World Central Kitchen donate.wck.org
“They are providing fresh meals to the victims of the fires. You can also donate to the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and United Way,” Slamon said.
The fire chief stressed “we must recognize we live in an area that has devastating wildfires similar to what is happening in Los Angeles.”
“We must all be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice,” he said.
He recommended everyone have packs ready to go with “basic necessities and a list of irreplaceable items.”
For information, go to livingwithfire.org.