March 29, 2024 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Santa Monica Firefighters Join Efforts To Control Northern California Wildfires:

Firefighters and equipment from Los Angeles and Orange County fire departments, including Santa Monica, were being deployed in northern California today in the battle to knock down 18 wildfires plaguing areas made tinder dry by the drought.

“In addition to the northern California fires, a new fire — the Toro Fire — started burning Sunday afternoon, just north of Ojai in Ventura County,” CalFire spokeswoman Alisha Herring said in a telephone interview. “I don’t have a current estimate on acreage burned in that one, but yesterday it had charred about 75 acres.”

The Los Angeles City Fire Department now has 43 firefighters working up north, said department spokeswoman Margaret Stewart. This includes 12 members deployed as part of command support and 23 firefighters, including a battalion chief, and five engines were sent to the Rocky Fire burning in Lake County, said department spokeswoman Margaret Stewart.

The Rocky fire is the largest of the wildfires currently burning. So far it has burned 60,000 acres and was 12 percent contained as of 8 a.m. today, Herring said.

Eight LAFD firefighters were also assigned as part of a strike team that includes firefighters from Beverly Hills, Culver City and Santa Monica, Stewart added. That strike team was sent to the Six Rivers Complex Fire.

County firefighters have also been deployed on mutual aid assignments up north, although specific details were not immediately available.

One Garden Grove Fire Department engine company has been sent to Eureka to help battle lightning-sparked fires in Six Rivers National Forest and another to the Rocky Fire, said department Capt. Thanh Nguyen.

“Additional firefighters have been called in to ensure that service remains consistent for the city of Garden Grove,” Nguyen said.

One firefighter has been killed. David Ruhl of Rapid City, South Dakota, died Thursday while battling a wildfire in the Modoc National Forest about 100 miles south of Oregon. That fire has burned at least 800 acres.

Ruhl, a U.S. Forest Service firefighter, was driving down a road in a vehicle by himself, scouting the area when the then-small fire suddenly expanded, U.S. Forest Information Officer Ken Sandusky said.

Crews fighting the blaze lost communication with him Thursday evening. His body was recovered on Friday, according to Sandusky.

The news of Ruhl’s death came just hours after Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency requiring all state agencies to provide assistance if needed to respond to the fires. Brown also mobilized the California National Guard to help with disaster response.

“California’s severe drought and extreme weather have turned much of the state into a tinderbox,” Brown said. “Our firefighters are on the front lines and we’ll do everything we can to help them.”

in News
Related Posts

Customers at These Palisades Stores Can Get Cash Rewards for Sharing Their Experience

March 29, 2024

March 29, 2024

Thumzup is Starting its L.A. Footprint Expansion with Pacific Palisades Thumzup, a company which aims to democratize the social media...

Homeless Man Sentenced to State Prison for Crimes Against Homeless Women

March 29, 2024

March 29, 2024

Man Pleads No Contest to Series of Sexual Assaults Anthony Pittman, currently homeless, has pled no contest to a series...

(Video) Series A Coffee Now Open in Beverly Hills at 8328 Wilshire Blvd

March 29, 2024

March 29, 2024

Located in the space that formerly housed a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. Try the Black Pearl Iced Coffee. @smmirrornews...

Los Angeles County Braces for Heavy Rain, Snow, and Possible Thunderstorms Over Weekend

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

National Weather Service Issues Alerts for Flooding and Possible Tornado  According to the latest reports from the National Weather Service...

Hotel Workers to Speak Out on Harassment Endured at Santa Monica Hampton Inn

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

The Hotel Is One of Five Hotels in the Charter City That Are Still in a Labor Dispute By Zach...

Santa Monica Rotary Club Raises Over $21,000 for SMC Guardian Scholars Program

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

This Grant Will Provide Essential Support to Current and Former Foster Youth Enrolled at the College The Rotary Club of...

 (Video) Philz Coffee Set to Close Westside Location Next Month

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

The Franchise Recently Made Headlines for Changing Headquarters @smmirrornews Philz is closing its Santa Monica shop #coffeeaddict #coffee #coffeeshop #losangeles...

Fleurs et Sel Bakery Opens Storefront in West Adams, Welcomes Customers Three Days a Week

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Indulge in Freshly Baked Cookies at the New West Adams Location Fleurs et Sel Bakery, known for its delectable cookies...

Easter Specials Guide: Brunch Spots, Desserts, and More in West Los Angeles

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Discover the Best Easter Eats and Treats in LA for Your Holiday Celebration Easter is almost here, so here are...

Famous Literary Critic and Palisadian Passes Away at 92

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

A Memoriam Post Stated She Overturned Views on T. S. Eliot, Ezra Pound and Other Canonized Artists By Zach Armstrong...

Mixed-Use Development Set for Sloping Property along Chautauqua Boulevard

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

“Canyon Place” Is Set to Include Two Apartment Units and 1,415 Sq. Ft. of Office Space By Zach Armstrong A...

Over Five Miles of Venice Blvd. to Temporarily Close, Become Public Park in April

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

The Initiative, Which Started in 2010, Aims to Connect Communities and Promote Sustainable Transportation Options On Sunday, April 21 from...

(Video) Workers Strike at Luxury Hotel in Downtown Santa Monica

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Meanwhile, Unite Here Local 11 Recently Announced a Contract Was Ratified at 34 Hotels @smmirrornews Workers are striking at Proper...

(Video) Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE at the Beyond Fest Screening...

Historic Union Contract Ratified by Thousands of Hotel Workers At 34 Hotels

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

UNITE HERE Local 11 Negotiates Agreement Ensuring Wage Increases  Hotel workers, who spearheaded the largest hotel strike in modern U.S....