The Role of Life-Saving Firefighters in the California Camp Fire

Many people think of the destruction that a wildfire causes and their own personal trauma when it comes to lives lost and rebuilding after one of these horrific events. However, many people do not immediately think about the firefighters who risk their lives in these wildfires and the challenges they face when they are left to put out a blazing wildfire that never seems to end.

In one such event, which has been reported by Cal Fire, three people were injured in the Paradise Camp Fire that broke out on November 8. The fire service reported that Cal Fire firefighters and various prison inmates in California were sent to the front lines to protect those who were under distress due to the Camp Fire. The teams worked to scout various areas and set back fires so that they would not spread and cause more harm. They stood together along Rattlesnake Flats Road, where the fire trapped them. It was reported that two inmates and a fire captain were seriously burned in this event and taken to the hospital where they would remain while receiving treatment for their injuries.

In another event that broke out during the Camp Fire, an exploding propane tank launched shrapnel at two Cal Fire firefighters. Many firefighters received anything from minor to major injuries. This is why we would like to take a moment to extend our gratitude to the firefighters who risked their lives when the Camp Fire broke out so unexpectedly.

Because firefighters work so laboriously to save lives in the midst of these wildfires, today we want to take a closer look at the tactics that fire companies utilize to fight these enormous fires and save lives from harm.

Strategies Used by California Firefighters in the Midst of a Wildfire 

Establishing the Control Line: Control lines are the barriers that are put in place that can control where the fire goes and where it doesn’t spread. In some cases, they are natural such as a rocky ridge or a body of water. In other cases, they are manmade in areas that do not have a natural control line. If you are watching the news and you hear that a certain amount of the fire is contained, it typically means that a control line has been established and firefighters are working laboriously to keep it under control.

Burnout: Burnouts are used as a way to create a barrier that is free from fuel. This process involves bolstering the already-existing control line and preventing a blaze from going further than the boundaries that have already been established. This is due to the fact that sometimes, small measures such as digging ditches and pulling up plants, is not enough to contain a bad wildfire. 

Backburn: This is when firefighters work to set a controlled blaze headed downwind from the main blaze that will help push the new blaze back toward the main fire. If there is fuel, this should help burn it all up. It is done in a controlled environment so that it is done safely or not at all. 

Flanking: If a wildfire is small, unlike cases that go to extremes such as the California Camp Fire, firefighters might participate in flanking. The firefighters involved will work their way around the edge of the fire to spray the flames as they start moving around the rest of the perimeter. 

Extra Attention to Danger Zones: Paying extra close attention to danger zones in the midst of a wildfire is something known as ‘hot spotting.’ The crews will go one-on-one with the fire as they attempt to discover what parts of the blaze are most likely to spread due to certain environments present in the area. This will help them strategize to keep the blaze in one area. It can also involve looking for the hottest part of the fire. 

Knocking Down: Knocking down is part of firefighting that includes the most action. When firefighters have assessed the wildfire and determined that there is a part that needs to be suppressed before they move forward, they will employ ‘knocking down’ methods. They will use large amounts of retardant such as dirt, water, and other chemical methods so that they can destroy the worst parts of the fire. 

Cold Trailing: Firefighters who are on the sidelines while the main blaze is being extinguished might engage in cold trailing, which is combing through the parts of the ground that have already been scorched in the wildfire. This is done when the wildfire is very obviously on the move and firefighters want to ensure that no embers remain in the area so that they do not blow around and make the fire grow in areas where it was previously extinguished. 

Explosives: Firefighters sometimes use explosives so that they can break up parts of the forest that are the densest or where the most trees have fallen. If firefighters believe that there are trees in a certain area that are so dense that they could help the fire cross to a new area and ignite other towns and cities, they might use this method to help contain it to one area – and wildfires depend on various methods of containment.

Mopping Up: Mopping up takes place when firefighters return to the completed control line and go back to clean up. This includes various steps that help stop a fire from igniting once more such as dousing any embers in the area and spotting new fires that might have erupted before they are able to spread to larger areas.

How a California Wildfire Attorney Can Help 

Our experienced and dedicated wildfire attorneys at Marlene Leiva Law Group are here for you when you have been negatively impacted by a wildfire such as the California Camp Fire. If you are interested in looking at your options and possibly filing a lawsuit against PG&E due to the damages that you have sustained in the Camp Fire, we want you to know that you do not stand alone and our attorneys are tasked for the job, with skills that will help you gain the compensation you deserve. Whether you are looking for more information on PG&E’s negligence, or wonder what the first steps are for moving forward, please reach out to us as soon as possible at 415-459-7300.