El Centro, Ca. – July 9, 2024 – ECFD personnel has joined a Strike Team deployed to the Lake Fire in Santa Barbara County on Tuesday morning.
ECFD is responding with a 4X4 off-road capable vehicle, a unique and versatile wildland firefighting vehicle owned by the California Office of Emergency Services and assigned to the El Centro Fire Department. Known as a Type 6, the vehicle offers exceptional mobility, allowing it to access hard-to-reach areas. It is equipped with wildland firefighting tools and a 300-gallon water tank.
ECFD is sending one Batallion Chief along with three firefighters.
This deployment marks the first joint operation for the City of El Centro with the Type 6 vehicle since it was assigned to ECFD. Joining El Centro in this mission are Type 6 vehicles from the Holtville Fire Department, Calipatria Fire Department, and Brawley Fire Department. This collaborative effort underscores the unity and collective strength of our local fire departments in the fight against the Lake Fire. Brawley Fire is also providing a water tender, further enhancing our combined capabilities.
According to the California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection website, the Lake Fire, which was reported on July 5, is currently 12 percent contained and has burned 26,176 acres.
ECFD previously deployed a team to the Thompson Fire in Butte County on July 3. The crew returned during the weekend without any injury.
