Crews Respond to Fires Ravaging Northern California

Butte Fire Center Corpsmembers Matthew Carter, left, and David Garrett, right, lead their crew on a hike along fire roads as they work to protect ranch homes near Tracy in San Joaquin County.

Wildfires ravaging communities across California hit northern California especially hard.

California Conservation Corps crews are responding with all we have.

Nearly 200 Corpsmembers trained in wildland firefighting are digging lines and back burning – fighting fire with fire.

It’s just plain hot, gritty, and dangerous work. Fire crews put in 12 to 24 hour shifts working to protect property and infrastructure.

CCC Butte Fire Center crews 3 and 4 saved homes from flames burning in the the SCU Lightning Complex fire near Pleasanton.

Meanwhile, Stockton 1 crew from CCC’s Delta Center put in hard work over night this week cutting fire line and clearing debris on the Salt Fire burning in Calaveras County.

But it doesn’t stop there. More the 500 Corpsmembers are working the base camps – keeping thousands of firefighters from agencies all over the state equipped with supplies, food, and a clean place to just rest.

Since Sunday August, 16, the CCC has responded to 19 fire incidents across the state and continue to dispatch crews to base camps and wildfires.

Gilly Gilmartin Lines Up with Fire in Background

Magalia Corpsmember Riley “Gilly” Gilmartin catches her breath after digging a hand line, while the Canyon Fire approaches from the south.

Butte CM Carefully Watches Fire

A Butte Corpsmember watches the back burn along the a ridge south of Tesla Road in San Joaquin County.

dueling back burns-2

Two Butte crew 3 Corpsmembers use drip torches to ignite a defensive back burn to protect ranch homes near Tracy, CA.

Butte 3 CM Ignites Back Burn

A Butte Corpsmember uses a drip torch to ignite back burn.

CM Watches Back Burn Succeed

A Butte 3 Corpsmember watches the back burn to make sure it stays within the fire lines in San Joaquin County.

Butte Crews Cut Line on Deer Zone fires

Butte Fire Center crews 3 and 4 cut a fire line by hand on the Deer Zones Fire in Contra Costa County.

Ranch Home Saved by Back Burn

Butte Crew 4 lights a back burn down in a canyon to protect a nearby ranch home.

Stockon 1 Delta Fire Crew – Salt Fire 2

Stockton 1 fire crew worked over night on the Salt Fire in Calaveras County, where this Corpsmember cut up downed tree branches to reduce fuel for the fire.