Central Coast fire departments deploy crews to North Bay blazes

With the North Bay fires burning thousands of acres of land, firefighters are struggling to contain them. And crews from the central coast have been deployed to help.

Often times, firefighters are called and given little time to prepare. Last night was no different for firefighters in our area.

The call came in at 9 p.m. Monday for the Watsonville Fire Department, saying they were needed in Santa Rosa to help fight the fires.

One engine and a group of four highly experienced firefighters were sent out, all of whom have families.

“You know, they are probably giving their spouses a call, while they’re responding there, and letting them know that potentially they might not be home for 14 days. Uhh, 14 days is the duration of their assignment- at least how long it could end up being before they are relieved or sent somewhere else (but) they don’t really know,” says Captain Corey Schaefer.

While KION was at the fire department, a call came in requesting another group of firefighters to come out. That crew starting preparing for the trip, and they are being sent out today.

And Watsonville isn’t the only station sending help. Salinas Firefighters responded with part of a Monterey County local government strike team with Engine 305. Crews with the Aptos and Hollister fire stations have also made their way out, and three Monterey Fire crews & engines were sent to help as requests for backup continued to pour in.