Inside the Massive Operation to Contain the Park Fire
An Unrelenting Wildfire in California
The Park Fire, currently the largest fire burning in California, has scorched 392,480 acres while containment efforts remain at 18% as of Thursday morning. The operation to contain this firestorm is a comprehensive and painstaking process, starting from a command base and incident command center which plays a crucial role in supporting everyone involved in the firefighting effort.
The Red Bluff Fairgrounds, in Red Bluff, Calif, is now a bustling hub of activity hosting the Park Fire Command Base and Incident Command Center. Complete with full kitchens, laundromats and places for firefighters to take respite, the base has transformed into an all-encompassiveness facility to combat one of the worst wildfires in state history.
The Daily Routine at The Fire Command Base and Incident Command Center
According to Captain Quincy Sloan of the Bakersfield Fire Department, everyone involved in the incident must first check-in for their shift where each person is issued an order number. The order number, he explained, is a unique identifier attached to every personnel on-site.
Once checked in, staff and firefighters receive assignments for the day, which are disseminated from the incident command post. While some assignments immediately engage firefighters in action, the incident commander and team are constantly analyzing and preparing for potential scenarios.
Looking Ahead – A Key Strategy for Success
“They work with the incident commander to not just say, OK then wait for an incident to happen,” Sloan elucidated. “But they then start thinking ahead – what could happen.” This foresight, it seems, is integral in managing such a calamitous event, giving room for proactivity rather than mere reactivity.
Behind-The-Scenes Operations – A Hub of Vital Activity
The incident command center is a beehive of logistics and planning. A myriad of responsibilities is taken on by the individuals who keep the fire fighting machine well-oiled and running. Foremost, ensuring provisions and supplies for firefighters as they depart to or return from the fire lines. Separate teams prepare breakfast and dinner meals while also crafting lunch bags to accompany the resources heading into action.
Critical tasks such as cleaning and maintaining firefighter gear are also undertaken by dedicated teams. Facilities are equipped to handle up to 150 loads of laundry per day, underscoring the level of logistics involved.
Considering the grueling physical demands of battling a wildfire, a cherished zone is set down solely for firefighters to rest and recuperate.
The Unseen Heroes
The ongoing battle against the fire, the constant vigilance, and the attempt to predict and prepare for what lies ahead gives an insight into the scale of operations and the criticality of each role.
“I can tell you right now that if that was my wife she would have quit,” Sloan humorously related when referring to the daunting laundry load. Jokes apart, this massive scale operation reveals the remarkable courage and diligence of not just those fighting the fire but also the tireless teams working behind the scenes, the unspoken heroes of the management operation.
Even as evacuation orders and warnings continue to ripple across the Northstate, the teams at the heart of the operation continue their relentless work, a beacon of hope under the tumultuous Californian sky.
