FORT WORTH, Texas — The Park Fire in California recently became the sixth worst in the state's history, and several North Texas fire departments are sending firefighters to help.
Five members of the Fort Worth Fire Department wildland team left Fort Worth Monday to assist in California with wildfires that are forcing evacuations and destroying homes.
“We're in Albuquerque right now,” Brant Frazier said. “Our current destination is Davis, California, just west of Sacramento.”
They will join a group of other North Texas firefighters including Greenville Fire-Rescue, McKinney Fire Department, Allen Fire Department and Parker County Emergency Services District 1. The group will join Strike Team 178.
The firefighters won't show up empty-handed; a brush truck equipped with forestry line, hand tools, chainsaws, firing devices such as drip torches, draft hoses and more will make the trip with them.
“It's very unfortunate to see the amount of devastation out there in California and the homes that are lost and we really feel for those people that are going through that right now,” Fraiser said.
California resident Nallely Orozco spoke with WFAA after she was forced to evacuate her home.
“We left everything behind,” Orozco said. “All of our personal belongings, all of the enclosures, all the supplies.”
Liz Juenke was also forced to leave her home and her 17 horses behind.
“They are not used to fending for themselves,” Juenke said. “They get fed every day. They are living in a 20-acre field, and it was kind of hard to watch them leave and run.”
The North Texas crews will also carry enough food and water to operate for 72 hours without assistance. The firefighters will arrive in California on Wednesday where they will stay for two weeks.
On Monday, Gov. Greg Abbott announced he would direct the Texas Division of Emergency Management and Texas A&M Forest Service to deploy firefighters, emergency management personnel, fire engines, and equipment to wildfires in California.
“Texans understand the urgency of responding to wildfires, and our country is stronger when we come together in times of crisis,” Abbott said in a press release.
The state has already begun readying 100 firefighters, emergency management personnel, and more than 25 fire engines, command vehicles and equipment, the release states.