Gering Fire has been contributing to firefighting efforts in southern California this summer.
Last weekend, three firefighters and a wildland fire engine went to San Diego for repositioning to help fight any new fires in that region, and was later moved to Fresno and the Sierra National Forest to provide similar support.
Fire Chief Nathan Flowers told KNEB News the request for assistance came as western wildfires prompted level five preparedness across the nation, with a request to provide all available resources. “We have a contract with the state to cooperate with the U.S. Forest Service and other federal agencies. And so we, our engine and our department are set up in the federal system that if we’re able to respond and assist, we can become available,” said Flowers. “And at that point, they can request orders and fill those orders with our department.”
Flowers says the Department will likely be rotating crews into that state for a seven-day deployment on the fire lines for several weeks to come.
He says for those volunteers willing and able to go, it also gives them valuable wildland firefighting experience they can bring back to use here if and when needed.
