Monterey County, Calif-The fires across our state are keeping local firefighters busy. After battling flames in our area for weeks, some of them are now heading to southern California, and they're heading down there with heavy hearts. Sunday two firemen were in the midst of an intense fire at the Angeles National Forest when their fire engine rolled off the mountainside.
Flags are flying at half staff today at this Salinas Rural firehouse, a tribute to two Los Angeles county firefighters who died Sunday fighting the Station Fire, "It really hits home again we do have a dangers job and its something that we live with we realize but until you read the paper it just kind of recommits the responsibility we have," said Chief Michael Urquides.
Two Salinas Rural engines left last night from the Gloria Fire to help out in Southern California, "They have probably seven hours of drive time to reflect on some of the things they can do when they get down there to prevent that from happening again," said Urquides.
The Station Fire nearly doubled in size overnight, 14 fire departments from the Central Coast are helping in Los Angeles, "We had two large fires here in Monterey County this past week were other counties came to help us and now its our turn to help them," said Urquides.
Firefighters for Monterey County change shifts every seven days, but after nearly three weeks of non stop action, they have to be extra cautious on the job in unfamiliar areas, "Smoky conditions your in terrain your not familiar with you don't know the roads so again there is always a risk for suppressing fires in areas that you're not familiar with," said Urqurides.
Firefighters are so busy trying to get the flames under control, that there has not been much time for mourning their lost colleagues. But when the dust settles, firefighters from around the state will pay their respects to the fallen heroes, "We have the best firefighters, the best trained the toughest firefighters in the world without any doubt, out thoughts and prayers go out to their families and friends," said Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
