Local agencies assist with wildfire response in Southern California

While local agencies send people to help with the fire response, they are making sure response at home doesn't drop.
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Wednesday, January 8, 2025 11:26PM PT
Firefighters from Fresno have joined the battle against the fierce flames in Southern California.
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Firefighters from Fresno have joined the battle against the fierce flames in Southern California.

The local crews are on the frontlines of the Palisades Fire, seeing the destruction first hand.

"I've seen some significant photos and videos. Yaah, they do a good job representing what's going on, there is significant damage," explained Fresno City Fire Battalion Chief Lupe Fernandez.

"When you, if you've ever driven down the coastline, you know how beautiful it was... Amazing homes right on the beach. There's a lot of them that aren't there anymore."

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Fernandez was part of a team that left Fresno just before midnight Tuesday.



The group has been on the move or fighting flames since then with no chance to rest until after 8 am Thursday as they work to protect a subdivision.

"If we don't hold this line, everything that's happening downhill of us means nothing. Because if we don't hold this line, all their work is for naught, and the fire will just progress past us," said Fernandez.

The devastation from the Palisades Fire is seen from the air in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025.none
The devastation from the Palisades Fire is seen from the air in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025.none
A wildfire-ravaged property is shown after the Palisades Fire swept through in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.none
The devastation from the Palisades Fire is seen from the air in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025.none
The devastation from the Palisades Fire is seen from the air in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025.none
This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows the Eaton Fire on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Altadena, Calif.none
A beach front property is burned by the Palisades Fire Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 in Malibu, Calif.none
Water is dropped by helicopter on the burning Sunset Fire in the Hollywood Hills section of Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.none
A firefighter battles the Eaton Fire Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 in Altadena, Calif.none
The United Methodist Community Church burns in Pacific Palisades, Calif. on Jan. 8, 2025.none
A burned car sits parked in front of a burned home in the Pacific Palisades, Calif. on Jan. 8, 2024.none
Fire-damaged vehicles are lined up at a dealership after the Eaton Fire swept through Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 in Altadena, Calif.none
A house is engulfed in flames from the wind-driven Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades, Calif. on Jan. 7, 2025.none
Fire crews battle the Eaton Fire Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 in Altadena, Calif.none
Fire-ravaged businesses and vehicles are left behind after the Palisades Fire swept through in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.none
The Palisades Fire ravages a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.AP
The Palisades Fire burns a residence in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.none
The Getty Villa art museum is threatened by the flames of the wind-driven Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades, California, January 7, 2025.none
The Palisades Fire ravages a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.none
Fire ravaged businesses are seen after the Palisades Fire swept though in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.AP
The Palisades Fire burns a Christmas tree inside a residence in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.AP
Fire-ravaged businesses and vehicles are left behind after the Palisades Fire swept through in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.AP
A man walks past a fire-ravaged business after the Eaton Fire swept through Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 in Altadena, Calif.none
Residents of a senior center are evacuated as the Eaton Fire approaches Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Altadena, Calif.none
A vehicle burns as the Palisades Fire advances in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.AP
Will Adams watches as flames from the Palisades Fire close in on his property in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.none
A firefighter battles the Palisades Fire as it burns a structure in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.none
Two people ride by on motorcycles as the Palisades Fire destroys an area in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.AP
Water is dropped on the advancing Palisades Fire by helicopter in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.none
The Eaton Fire destroys a structure Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Altadena, Calif.AP
Firefighters battle the advancing Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.AP
Bike riders make their way along the coast as large dark plume of smoke passes over the beach from a wildfire from Pacific Palisades, from Santa Monica, Calif., on Jan. 7, 2025.none
A surfer takes off on a wave in Santa Monica, Calif., during sunset under a blackened sky from the Palisades fire in the Pacific Palisades on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.none
Flames rise as the Palisades Fire advances on homes in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.none
A fire-ravaged property smolder after the Palisades Fire swept through in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.none


The Reedley Fire Department plays a unique role in state firefights, as they house a state water tender that deploys with two of their volunteers when the state calls.



"We probably have three to four other people that are willing and ready to go," said Reedley Fire Chief Michael Canales.

As people flee their homes and seek shelters, they may be met by Red Cross Volunteers from the Central Valley.

"It's nice to know that there's somebody out there to help you when this sort of stuff happens and to let people realize that they're not alone," said Dana Sakoda, a volunteer.

RELATED: 5 fatalities confirmed as Southern California wildfires rage; 1,000+ structures destroyed

At American Ambulance in downtown Fresno, a strike team of five ambulances carrying eight EMTs, four paramedics and a supervisor loaded up to deploy.



"We'll be evacuating skilled nursing facilities, we could be running 911 calls in Pasadena. Whatever the command center needs from us, we're willing to do," said Ben Wiele with American Ambulance.

The call came to the company at noon and by 3 pm, they were packed and ready hit the road, unsure of what they'll face.

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