Fire crews from across the state help out on the Central Coast

Central Coast resources are stretched thin because we’ve sent so many crews to fight fires across the state. Now we’re getting some help of our own.

The Corralitos Cal Fire station is focusing on teamwork and crews said it’s making a difference.

It’s rare to see a Cosumnes fire engine parked in the Corralitos Fire Station garage. But with local crews up fighting the Rocky Fire, the Corralitos community can’t be left hanging, especially with the fear of another wildfire ripping through the Santa Cruz Mountains like the Summit Fire did in 2008, destroying 35 homes.

“We’ve been here for six days,” Captain Richard Hiatt said, with the Cosumnes Fire Department. “When resources get thin in one area, we’ll fill it with engines from another area.”

About a dozen Sacramento-area firefighters are currently stationed in Corralitos, helping out with local calls.

“Cosumnes comes here, Sac-Metro comes here, and they treat these community members as their own,” Cal Fire Corralitos firefighter Jason Reaves said.

Because California is in a state of emergency, firefighters can’t go home. So all of the beds at this station are taken.

It’s a packed house, but a happy one.

“It’s always a great experience. We’ve met guys we’ve never met before, found out we all got things in common, and we’ve been training together,” Hiatt said.

“To have these guys in, and bring their expertise from where they work, and have it mix with outs, it’s just a great learning opportunity,” Reaves said.

It’s hard to tell these guys only met six days ago. For most of the visiting firefighters, it’s the first time they’ve been to Corralitos. They said they’re really enjoying the area, and especially all of the redwoods.