San Mateo County Firefighters Sent to Fight SoCal Fires

Bay Area firefighters have traveled to Ventura County to help fight the Springs Fire as state and federal officials release funding and resources toward the battle.

The Springs Fire had grown to 18,000 acres Friday afternoon and is just 20 percent contained, according to Cal Fire.

For complete coverage of this fire, visit Malibu Patch.

 It has damaged 15 homes, 15 outbuildings and five commercial properties so far, but it is threatening around 4,000 homes, 300 commercial properties and 50 outbuildings.

Numerous residents have been evacuated from the area and more than 900 firefighters are on scene fighting the blaze, which is being driven by strong winds.

Firefighters from all nine Bay Area counties were sent south to assist in fighting the fire.

Alameda County sent 10 firefighters, according to Alameda County Deputy Chief Dave Lord. San Mateo County sent three engines, from the North County Fire Authority, Colma Fire Protection District and the City of San Mateo, with a total of twelve firefighters.
     
Around 30 engines from the Bay Area were sent in total, Lord estimated.
     
In response to the massive fire, the Federal Emergency Management Agency on Thursday authorized the use of federal funds to reimburse 75 percent of firefighting costs.
     
And at the state level, the California Emergency Management Agency deployed 15 strike teams, each composed of five engines staffed by fire personnel and an additional nine strike teams composed of local government engines, officials said Friday.
     
Cal EMA has also deployed strike teams to the Panther Incident in Butte County, the Yellow Fire in Sonoma County, the Summit Fire in Riverside County and the Cedar Fire in Butte County.

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For complete coverage of this fire, visit Malibu Patch.

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