‘Smoke, sweat, grit’: Fire crews battle on

Teams in California set for a monthslong fight

REDDING, Calif. – Cliff Allen knows all too well the challenges facing crews battling more than a dozen insatiable wildfires roaring across California that have claimed the lives of four firefighters in less than three weeks.

More than 10,000 firefighters are committed to a months-long assault on blazes fueled by dried vegetation, intense heat, strong winds and even “firenadoes.” Allen, president of Sacramento-based Cal Fire Local 2881, has battled fires like these for 30 years.

“This is extremely dangerous work,” Allen told USA TODAY. “You are talking about 16-hour, maybe 24-hour shifts in areas where the temperature is more than 100 degrees without fire. Add to that the radiant heat from the fire.

“It’s all about smoke and sweat and grit.”

Firefighters from 16 states, as far-flung as Maine and Florida, are at work. The state Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire, reported promising headway Tuesday on the most devastating of the blazes: the Carr Fire in and around this city of 92,000.

The death toll here is six, including two firefighters. More than 170 square miles have burned and almost 900 homes have been destroyed, which makes this the seventh-most destructive fire in state history.

Incident commander Bret Gouvea, who has called the fire a “monster,” said more than 10,000 people were allowed to return to their homes Monday and Tuesday. Still, many thousands more remained evacuated. And the fire was only 27 percent contained, eight days after a misfiring vehicle ignited the blaze.

“We’re turning the corner. I hate saying those things (because) this thing has made me a liar so many times,” he said.

“Twin” wildfires are threatening 10,000 homes in counties 100 miles southwest of here. And parts of Yosemite National Park remain closed as firefighters battle a blaze there.

No rain is forecast until at least next week. High temperatures are expected to exceed 100 degrees for days. The heat pushes air up, sometimes dragging fire with it – a firenado.

Allen says crews prepare for the long haul. Firefighters keep an “out-of-county bag” handy for when the call comes, at least 10 days of clothes, snacks and other essentials. On the fire line, they wear lightweight, flame-resistant “nomex” gear and carry packs with collapsible emergency fire shelters and plenty of water or sports drinks for when they are away from their truck.

“The intense heat adds to the fatigue factor, and nothing is more important than hydration,” Allen says. “That and adrenaline can take you a long way.”

The twin fires in Mendocino and Lake Counties had burned more than 100 square miles and were only 10 percent contained, Cal Fire said Tuesday. Seven homes were destroyed and thousands of people have been warned to evacuate.

“You see out there what the firefighters have done to get themselves in front of your homes,” Deputy Incident Commander Ron Myers said at a meeting of Lake County residents. “We continue to be confident, but we don’t have control of this. We don’t have control of Mother Nature.”

Near Yosemite, the Ferguson Fire had burned 90 square miles and was 33 percent contained. Two firefighters have died battling the blaze.

“Much of the fire is burning in steep, rugged terrain with little to no access roads,” said Jay Kurth, with the California Interagency Incident Management Team.

Yosemite planned to reopen its treasured Yosemite Valley to visitors late Friday as firefighters slowly gained the upper hand.

Allen said firefighters were ready as the summer fire season gains momentum: “When the fires start, guys are pretty much ready to rock and roll.”

“Nothing is more important than hydration. That and adrenaline can take you a long way.”

Cliff Allen Cal Fire Local 2881

TREVOR HUGHES/USA TODAY The Carr Fire in Redding, Calif., has destroyed nearly 900 homes. At least six people have died.