As the state burns through one of its worst fire seasons, El Dorado County fire agencies are sending strike teams to help battle blazes all over California.
A mix of professional and volunteer firefighters from 10 fairly small fire protection agencies along the county's western slope makes big contributions in terms of experience and equipment. Scrambling over rough, brushy terrain, rolling out a fire hose behind a guy with a chain saw is nothing new for them.
"We are known as aggressive firefighters in the wildland-urban interface. That is what we do," said Erik Peterson, assistant chief for the Diamond Springs-El Dorado Fire Protection District.
Peterson led one of several strike teams that responded to fires in the Shasta-Trinity area last month. A team generally consists of five fire engines, each with a crew of three to five firefighters. Other members came from Garden Valley, Pioneer, Mosquito and El Dorado Hills.
The fires have been burning since June 20 after a barrage of lightning strikes.
"Northern California lit off," Peterson said. "At its peak, there were 2,000 fires burning all over the region."
Most of those fires are under control, but new blazes continue to break out, triggering the state's mutual-aid system.
It has been a summer to step up for volunteers such as Diamond Springs-El Dorado firefighters Mike Prouty and Michael Weidert. Prouty spent two weeks in the Shasta-Trinity area, while Weidert helped protect structures and fight fires near Paradise, in Butte County. Both recalled anxious moments.
Prouty found himself battling a blaze that at times was just a few feet away, with burning treetops crashing down around him.
Weidert was part of a thin line around Paradise, waiting through the night to see what the fire would do. The big fear was that it would jump the line and burn homes.
The men share a strong sense of community involvement. They do their firefighting confident that their community stands behind them.
Weidert is a general contractor with his own construction business. When he is called for fire duty, that business has to wait.
He is upfront with customers about his involvement with the fire service.
"Nobody has ever given me a problem," Weidert said. "Everyone up here understands the dangers of wildland fires."
Prouty is working to become a professional firefighter while holding down his regular job at Raley's. Without that company's support, Prouty might not be able to follow his dream.
When the fire call comes, his manager waves him out the door.
"I really feel their support," Prouty said.
Last week, two strike teams from El Dorado County were working the Telegraph fire near Yosemite, said Chief Bruce Lacher of the El Dorado County Fire District.
Lacher is one of three county fire officials who coordinate and respond to statewide requests for mutual aid. The trick is to get strike teams assembled and sent to far-flung locations while ensuring there are no gaps in local fire protection, Lacher said.
So far this season, at least seven strike teams have been sent. In addition to the Yosemite and Shasta-Trinity fires, local resources have gone to Monterey, Butte and Madera counties as well as fires burning along the American River, Lacher said. About the same number of teams went out during the entire season last year.
Officials are very concerned about what may happen next.
"We are seeing fire behavior and conditions right now that we would usually see in late September," Lacher said.
Call The Bee's David Richie, (916) 608-7455.
