Culver City Firefighters Battling Blazes Throughout California

After seven days on the fire lines at the Cranston Fire in Idyllwild, Strike Team XLA-1075A--consisting of 22 firefighters, five engine companies and a battalion chief--wearily headed north to fight other major fires that are raging across the state.

The team included eight Culver City firefighters, along with firefighters from Santa Monica and Beverly Hills. The team leader came from Los Angeles.

The team headed north for a 26-hour trip to the Mendocino Complex fire in Northern California. It was redirected to the Eel Fire, a new blaze in Northern Mendocino County.

Crews worked all through the night returning to the Mendocino Complex fire. After 16 days away, the team headed home along with another strike team and were replaced by 44 other firefighters, including eight more from Culver, according to Culver City Battalion Chief Robert Kohlhepp.

Relief crews are continuing to battle the Mendocino Complex fire, which has now become the largest in California history. It has consumed more than 300,000 acres, or 470 square miles. That's larger than the City of Los Angeles or the entire City of New York.

At press time, the fire had destroyed more than 100 homes and was only 50 percent contained. Officials do not expect full containment until September.

Kohlhepp commented that if released, the strike team might be reassigned to the Holy Fire burning in the Cleveland National Forest in Orange and Riverside counties.

He stressed that Culver residents and businesses remain fully protected, and that the department has adequate resources to handle any local challenges.