‘Starting to look a lot better’: Rain aids Mosquito fire battle, but brings flood, mudflow risk
Firefighters with Los Angeles County Fire Department fireboats are looking a lot better thanks to recent rains that dropped heavy, wet firefighting mud. (Los Angeles Times / Richard Winton)
Firefighters look and smell better thanks to recent rains that dropped heavy, wet firefighting mud. (Los Angeles Times / Richard Winton)
“The water made it easier to get into the muck,” said Capt. Greg Swafford, Los Angeles County Fire Department commander.
The mud wasn’t just a blessing for them. It also helped to make firefighting more efficient.
“The water made it easier to get into the muck,” said Capt. Greg Swafford, Los Angeles County Fire Department commander. (Los Angeles Times / Richard Winton)
“It really worked out for us. We’re in full gear,” Swafford said of his command. “If we didn’t have the water, we wouldn’t have our trucks on the job.”
Firefighters with the Los Angeles County Fire Department were on a frantic search for a fire that started when a power pole fell on a tree Wednesday. Then the rains came.
With the combination of heavy rains and mud, the fire grew. By late Wednesday, firefighters had found the fire was burning up to 3,000 acres and was spreading at a rate of 5 to 10 acres per hour.
“It’s been a really, really difficult day,” said Capt. Greg Swafford, Los Angeles County Fire Department commander. “We’re looking a lot better because of these rains.”
A Los Angeles Fire official said the fire department estimated it was growing by about 50 percent. Crews began digging a pit in the fire zone to set up a command post and emergency operation center.
“We’re prepared to fight this fire, and we will do everything in our ability to do that,” said Capt. Greg Swafford, Los Angeles County Fire Department commander. (Los Angeles Times / Richard Winton)
The mud helped crews get through the day. They were