La Habra Heights Firefighters were deployed to the "Rye" fire in Santa Clarita as part of Strike Team 1086A on December 5th, 2017.
E772 Spending cold nights protecting the community
Firefighters extinguishing hot spots
During this time they provided fire protection and support for Los Angeles County Fire Camp 12 in Castaic.
On December 10th, 2017, Strike Team XLE 1086 was redeployed to the 230,000 acre "Thomas" fire in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. Casitas Pass Rd and Gobernador Canyon Rd. near Carpinteria.
E772 at Base Camp preparing to engage fire on
Casitas Pass Rd. near Carpinteria
The Strike Team is providing structure protection for the community of Carpinteria. They are actively engaging the fire to protect homes and residents in the area of
During this deployment supporting the California Master Mutual Aid agreement, La Habra Heights remains fully staffed for the protection of the community.
Pursuant to the California Master Mutual Aide agreement, on December 5, 2017, the La Habra Heights Fire Department deployed (1) Engine Company to the "Rye Fire" in Santa Clarita as part of an "Immediate Need" strike team. Additional Firefighters continue to staff fire apparatus within La Habra Heights to respond to any emergencies in the City.
Strong winds combined with low humidity has contributed to multiple large wild fires in the region. Firefighters from throughout the west coast are battling fires throughout the state.
A "Strike Team" consists of (5) Fire Engines and a Battalion Chief Strike Team Leader who work together to attack the fire and protect structures.
Firefighters and Command Staff receive a morning briefing
to discuss strategy, weather, and fire conditions.
On May 23rd, 24th, 25th, and 26th of 2017, The La Habra Heights Fire Department hosted the 2017 Multi-Agency wildland fire training in La Habra Heights. The topography of La Habra Heights with heavy brush and intermix of homes makes it ideal for local Firefighters t gain valuable training for wildfires.
Over the course of four days, over 250 local Firefighters from La Habra Heights, Los Angeles County Fire Department, Brea, Fullerton, Compton, Vernon, Downey, and Santa Fe Springs received valuable classroom as well as field training from experts in Wildland Firefighting.
Over 40 Engine Companies and more than a dozen Chief Officers from these agencies practiced firefighting operations together, many for the first time.
Most of those attending had never driven through the Heights or been exposed to the difficulties of fighting a wildfire in La Habra Heights.
Chief Officers and Captains who will be tasked with working together to command wildfires had an opportunity to discuss Incident Command, radio communications, and agency challenges. Having Command Staff from different agencies develop relationships before the battle starts improves the operation success during the firefight. This training improves our preparedness, interoperability and communications that will be used to successfully mitigate emergencies and save lives and property. Coordinating dozens of Fire companies from multiple jurisdictions is complex and challenging.
These drills provide not only the ground based Firefighters an opportunity to practice their firefighting operations, it also provides an opportunity for Air Operations and the Command Staff from different Departments to work together.
On May 5th, 2017 at 6:45 p.m. La Habra Heights Firefighters were dispatched to investigate a report of smoke in the area of Hacienda Rd. and Reposado Dr in La Habra Heights. With smoke showing from the powder canyon area, a full brush assignment was requested and additional Firefighters, camp crews, and air support from Los Angeles County Fire, Santa Fe Springs, Downey, and Vernon were dispatched.
The fire was located just off Skyline trail, North of the end of Reposado Dr. Due to the fire being located within the Habitat Authority Preserve area, ground crews had to navigate narrow dirt roads to gain access to the fire. The fire was contained to approximately 1/2 acre of heavy brush and 8' tall milkweed. 75 firefighters assisted by several water dropping helicopters were able to knock down the fire in about an hour. Crews remained on scene for several hours to completely extinguish the fire and create a scratch line around the entire perimeter.
Several factors helped Firefighters quickly control the fire. The recent transition by the La Habra Heights Fire Department to the Los Angeles County Fire Dispatch and communications system has improved communications and interoperability between the two agencies. A series of multi-agency wildland drills with Departments from Los Angeles and Orange Counties have recently been conducted in the Heights, with the next one scheduled for the end of the month.
The cause of the fire has been determined to be an illegal campfire. There were no witnesses or suspects.
While the heavy brush in the area was more than 8' tall, it has not yet dried out. In addition, favorable weather conditions and a lack of wind allowed firefighters to safely attack the fire from the ground. Unfortunately, a few days of low humidity and strong winds can have a significant negative impact on firefighting tactics and efforts.
The constant drum of words continues to sing the song over and over from every Fire Department that has the threat of a wildfire in their community. EVACUATE and EVACUATE NOW!
So why do Firefighters stress the importance of evacuating early and not waiting to see if you can "Wait it Out"? Why don't we want you staying to try to protect your home? Because as Firefighters most of us have "Been There... Done That" sometime in our career. A wildfire is an ugly beast that you really don't want to meet.
The Oakland Hills Firestorm, October 21, 1991, Oakland, California. The fire ultimately killed 25 people and injured 150 others. The 1,520 acres destroyed, included 2,843 single-family dwellings and 437 apartment and condominium units.
This video will give you a pretty graphic example of the chaos, confusion that occurs during a wildfire. What you can't experience is the amount of heat that radiates hundreds of yards in front of the fire, the blowing embers that look like snow, yet sting like bees, or the inability to catch a breath because of the thick rancid smoke, and don't forget the burning eyes and complete loss of the ability to even open your eyes.
Now... Imagine being a Firefighter trying to get into a community to fight the fire, but you can't get in because people are stranded in their cars because the thick smoke has blocked the road or caused the engine to quit running. The Firefighters are trapped, burned over and injured, their lives changed forever.
Protect your community by letting us do our job. Prepare early. Leave early. If we can't protect your home, you can't protect your home. Don't risk your life or the life of a Firefighter by thinking you can stop a wildfire.
The La Habra Heights Fire Department recently conducted several "Interoperability" Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) drills with a dozen other local fire departments. These drill are critical to the successful management of any fire that threatens La Habra Heights. Below is an excerpt from an article describing the challenges faced by all cities faced with fighting fires in a WUI environment.
The Sand fire burns out of control along near Acton, California, on Sunday.
"Southern California is on fire again. The Sand fire in the Santa Clarita Valley mountains north of Los Angeles has burned 38,873 acres, destroyed at least 18 homes and taken one life. Smoke from the fire created what the LA Times referred to as an “apocalyptic haze” around Los Angeles County and a scorch mark it left behind was clearly visible in images from NASA’s Landsat satellite. On Tuesday, the acting governor of California, Tom Torlakson, declared a state of emergency in the county, declaring that the fire is “likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment and facilities of any single local government.”
What distinguishes the Sand fire isn’t its size..."
The La Habra Heights Fire Department (LHHFD) recommends that all residents continually assess their emergency preparedness for wildfires. Serious drought conditions combined with an abundance of dry vegetation continues to plague much of California.
Should a fire occur in the city, we encourage homeowners to evacuate early. Residents shouldn't wait for a formal evacuation order since doing so can clog our roadways making it difficult for firefighters to get into an area, delaying our firefighting efforts and threatening your neighbors.
If you see a wildfire and aren't sure if the Fire Department is responding, call 9-1-1. Don't assume that someone else has already called.
If ordered to evacuate during a wildfire, do it immediately- make sure and tell someone where you are going and when you have arrived.
HAVE AN EVACUATION PLAN! Narrow streets create evacuation issues. Please use the most accessible route out of the city and don't blog roads for others evacuating or fire apparatus.
Many communities have text or email alerting systems for emergency notifications.To find out what alerts are available in your area, search the Internet with your town, city, or county name and the word “alerts.”
If you or someone you are with has been burned, call 9-1-1 or seek help immediately; cool and cover burns to reduce chance of further injury or infection.
Maintain an area approximately 30’ away from you home that is free of anything that will burn, such as wood piles, dried leaves, newspapers and other brush.
Connect garden hoses long enough to reach any area of the home and fill garbage cans, tubs, or other large containers with water.
Review your homeowner's insurance policy and also prepare/update a list of your home's contents.
For several hours after the fire, maintain a "fire watch." Check and re-check for smoke, sparks or hidden embers throughout the house, including the roof and the attic.
Use caution when entering burned areas as hazards may still exist, including hot spots, which can flare up without warning. Evacuate immediately if you smell smoke.
Cleaning Your Home
Wear a NIOSH certified-respirator (dust mask) and wet debris down to minimize breathing dust particles.
Discard any food that has been exposed to heat, smoke or soot.
Do NOT use water that you think may be contaminated to wash dishes, brush teeth, prepare food, wash hands, or to make ice or baby formula.
Photograph damage to your property for insurance purposes.
On June 10th, 11th,
and 12th, from approximately 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., the La HabraHeights, Los Angeles County, and other local fire departments will be
conducting wildland firefighter training on the west side of La Habra Heights.
Residents may see a large commitment of fire apparatus, including helicopters operating
in the area.
Over the past few months, the
La Habra Heights Fire Department has been hosting joint Wildland Firefighter
training in La Habra Heights with other local fire departments. This training
improves our preparedness, interoperability and communications that will be
used successfully mitigate emergencies and save lives and property.
During our recent Wildland Training, La Habra Heights firefighters were given a history lesson on the dangers of wildland firefighting as well as how these tragic events shape future firefighting tactics and safety procedures. On September 2, 1955, Los Angeles County Fire Captain Glenn E. Rockey was killed on this La Habra Heights hillside during the "Hacienda Fire". The fire also took the lives of five young members of the Los Angeles County Probation Forestry Camp 5-1, and severely burned seven others. Fire investigators mark the spots where some of the men were killed. (Los Angeles County Fire Department Historical Archives)
Almost 57 years after he was killed, the heroic efforts of Captain Glenn E. Rockey to save the lives of other Firefighters was finally recognized. Los Angeles County 2012 Valor Awards:
In April, 2016, the La Habra Heights Fire Department had the privilege of hosting the "Area E" regional wildland firefighter training in the Heights. Firefighters from La Habra Heights joined with firefighters from Compton, Santa Fe Springs, Vernon, and Downey fire departments. We spent 3 days in a combined classroom and field exercise training sessions, designed to enhance our ability to support each other during the upcoming wildfire season.
Fire Chief Doug Graft from La Habra Heights shared his 38 years of knowledge and experience in wildland firefighting operations during the presentation. This presentation included a discussion of the 1955 "Hacienda Fire" in La Habra Heights which killed 5 firefighters and a Los Angeles County Fire Captain during an entrapment.
Firefighters then caravanned thru the Heights to a remote location to practice working together; extending nearly a thousand feet of hoseline and pumping.
Firefighters were able to practice deploying fire shelters in simulated wind conditions.
In all, over 100 firefighters from local mutual aid fire departments participated in this training. Residents can expect to see other local and regional mutual aid fire departments, who are likely to support La Habra Heights in our firefighting operations, conducting pre-fire training and planning. In addition, command staff from La Habra Heights is working with allied agencies to improve communication among their command staff.
