CAL FIRE/San Diego County Fire

Let’s swing back to the 30s. 🚒 Swipe to see the start of @calfiresandiego Station 10 Red Mountain in 1935, plus some fire engines that were acquired in the early 1930s for the San Diego Unit. Statewide, the first official State “standby crews” (seasonal firefighters) were not hired until 1931. Today, Fire Fighter I’s make up a large majority of our 12,000+ personnel in California. Although so much has changed in nearly 100 years, our core values of Integrity, Service, Community, and Diversity remain the same. What will the fire service look like in 100 years? #firestation #fireengine #calfire #sandiegocounty

FUEL BREAK 🛑🔥 Hand crews are currently working on fuels reduction maintenance on the Crest Community Fuel Break, which they began in the spring of this year. The fuel break was originally treated in 2019 and the vegetation has grown back significantly. Keeping up with maintenance is necessary to ensure the effectiveness of the fuel break. The Crest Community Fuel Break is a 158-acre, 6.8-mile-long and 200-foot wide fuel break near the community of Crest. The unincorporated community of Crest is an isolated, high density residential area situated on a plateau to the east of the City of El Cajon. This area is surrounded by rugged mountainous terrain south of Interstate 8 in south-central San Diego County. Due to its location and surrounding topography, this community has suffered significant damage from wildfires in the past. The Crest Community Fuel Break serves to protect Crest and the surrounding communities and will assist CAL FIRE with management and control of wildland fires occurring in the area. We greatly appreciate the support and cooperation from the community, and the landowners that allow us to work on their properties in order to make their community and firefighters more safe. 👨‍🚒 San Diego Crew 1, San Diego Crew 3 (CAL FIRE/California Conservation Corps), and San Diego Crew 4 (CAL FIRE/Cal Guard) #fireservice #firefighters #calfire #sandiegocounty

THE BORDER 77 FIRE 🔥 On Saturday,November 23rd at 3:22 p.m., a fire started in the Otay Wilderness burning 98 acres before being fully contained the following day. Located near Otay Mountain Truck Trail and Kuebler Ranch Road, the fire initially spread rapidly in the rugged terrain. Firefighting efforts, including many San Diego County agencies, played a pivotal role in containing the blaze due to the challenging access for ground resources. Favorable weather conditions supported suppression activities, enabling responders to limit its impact on nearby communities. This wildfire underscores the ongoing fire risks in Southern California, particularly during the dry and windy months. A Red Flag Warning from @nws is set to go into effect at 10 a.m. today and will remain in place until early Wednesday morning. According to @nws peak winds with this Santa Ana event are expected Tuesday afternoon. While the rapid containment minimized damage, the incident highlights the need for continued preparedness and vigilance in high-risk areas. The cause of the Border 77 Fire remains under investigation. 📸 @flyguysd #fireseason #wildfires #calfire #sandiegocounty

ENGINEERED FOR EXCELLENCE 🔑 Congratulations to the five CAL FIRE San Diego personnel who recently completed the seven-week Company Officer Academy (COA) at the CAL FIRE Training Center in Redding. This academy is known for its rigorous curriculum and demanding physical and mental challenges, preparing students for the responsibility of a company officer. Successfully completing this academy is a testament to their unwavering determination, exceptional work ethic, and commitment to serving their communities with the highest standards of professionalism. Their achievement is a proud moment for them, their families, and the entire CAL FIRE San Diego team. We commend their hard work and wish them continued success in their careers as they take on greater responsibilities in safeguarding lives and property in San Diego County. 📸 Cover image (L to R) Engineer/Paramedic Rogelio Gomez, Engineer Antonio Cruz, Forestry Assistant II David Gabaldon, Captain Corey Switzer, Engineer/Paramedic Jayson Andaya #firedepartmentlife #firedept #calfire #sandiegocounty

THE CAPTAIN 👨‍🚒 In most U.S. fire departments, a captain ranks above an engineer and below a battalion chief, placing them two positions higher than a firefighter. Captains typically oversee a company or crew, which consists of firefighters assigned to the same apparatus or aircraft. The captain is responsible for the safety and performance of their team. In addition to serving as first responders, captains may take on roles such as managing training, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), emergency dispatch, or fire investigations. 📸 2023/2024 photos of @calfiresandiego fire captains #firecaptain #fireservice #calfire #sandiegocounty

Views from the fire line, no music required. Give a listen to T91 dropping some aerial support for the ground resources on the recent Millar Fire. Note the radio traffic in the background and the air attack giving the tanker pilot a drop critique. These critiques can be essential information to help gauge effectiveness of a drop and the corrections needed by the pilot to get the retardant where it needs to go, especially for trainee tanker pilots. A huge thank you to @2412_fire_photo for getting us this great video! ____________________________________________ #californiafirepilotsassociation #calfire #calfiresirops #calfirefirefighters #aviation #firefighter #firstresponders #imagineaworldwithoutautopilot

GOOD FIRE VS. BAD FIRE 🔥 Wildfires have long been a natural part of California’s landscape, serving as an agent of change necessary to maintain the health and resilience of our forests. While wildfires can wreak havoc, prescribed fires are strategically executed by #CALFIRE during appropriate fuel and weather conditions to align with meeting goals and objectives. What would happen without prescribed fire? Skipping prescribed fires in fire-adapted ecosystems can be risky. Careful planning and considering factors like weather, fuel conditions, public safety, and economic impact, ensures that prescribed fires bring environmental and management benefits while minimizing risks. Does CAL FIRE handle prescribed fires on its own? No, it’s a collaborative effort. CAL FIRE works with federal and state agencies, tribal governments, fire departments, local communities, and landowners to ensure the safe and effective execution of prescribed fires, with careful planning and consideration. Will I be informed about a prescribed fire CAL FIRE is involved in? Absolutely. Our public information officers actively communicate about prescribed burns through social media and local news releases. You’ll always be aware of any prescribed fires near your community. 🎥 clips of firefighters, forestry technicians, California Conservation Corps Corpsmembers, and Heavy Fire Equipment Operators working hard to protect communities in San Diego County

REFLECTING ON FALL 🍁 Thanksgiving is a day to celebrate gratitude and we have a lot to be grateful for. Firefighters up and down California collectively have experienced a busy and demanding fall so far, as they have worked together tirelessly to protect lives, property, and natural resources. We deeply appreciate our cooperators and the public’s ongoing support and vigilance, which play a vital role in our efforts. CAL FIRE extends its gratitude for the resources, partnerships, and collaboration received throughout this year. Together we make a difference and for that we are thankful! THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE, HAPPY THANKSGIVING! 📸 Fall photos & videos: 1.Gillespie Helitack Firefighters 2.La Cima Conservation Camp Crew 3.The Line Fire 4.Julian structure fire 5.The Posta 3 Fire 6.The Fairmount Fire credit: @flyguysd 7.The Resort 2 Fire 8.The Circle Fire credit: Christian Underwood 9.Jamul structure fire 10.The Millar Fire credit: @flyguysd #firefighterposts #firedept #calfire #californiafirefighter

Last week, CAL FIRE San Diego successfully completed two days of prescribed burning at the Campo VMP (Vegetation Management Program) Project. These burns covered a total of 220 acres of mature vegetation and are part of a long-term plan that has included multiple prescribed burns during the spring and fall of 2023. The treated area, located directly east of the Campo Hills housing development, provides a significant buffer for the community. This 2,000-foot-wide area of reduced vegetation will greatly lower the risk of wildland fire to the housing development and the broader Campo community. A huge thank you to our staff in Resource Management and Community Risk Reduction for their dedicated efforts in planning and strategic management of fuel reduction projects like this to keep communities fire-safe. Additional prescribed burns are planned for this VMP next year, weather permitting. 📸 Firefighters, the San Diego Fuels Crew, and California Conservation Corps Corpsmembers conduct a prescribed fire on 11.21.24 #calfire #prescribedfire #fireservice #sandiegocounty

LEADERSHIP ABLAZE 🔥 Battalion Chief John Kremensky retires this week, closing an extraordinary chapter of dedication and service with CAL FIRE. Chief Kremensky’s firefighting journey began in 1983 as a volunteer firefighter with the Crest Fire Department. Over the years, he rose through the ranks, serving with @calfire as a seasonal firefighter in 1985, a reserve firefighter at Grossmont Mount Helix in 1986, and a firefighter with @lakesidefiredist in 1990. By 1991, he joined CAL FIRE Riverside as a Fire Apparatus Engineer, ultimately serving with CAL FIRE San Diego from 1994 to the present. Chief Kremensky’s career has been marked by significant achievements and notable deployments. He played a critical role during the 1992 LA Riots and the 2003 Cedar Fire, demonstrating unwavering courage and leadership. His expertise in managing border fires and utilizing advanced firing methods has been instrumental in protecting communities. In 2018, during the July Pasqual Incident, he served as Operations, coordinating efforts alongside other leaders to mitigate the crisis effectively. Chief Kremensky’s legacy is defined not only by his expertise but also by his kindness, wisdom, and humor, which has left a lasting impact on his colleagues and the community he has served. When asked about advice for future firefighters he states, “Treat others the way you would want to be treated. Acceptance brings about happiness. Apologize if you get mad at someone and remember to smile and laugh!” Congratulations Chief Kremensky, on an incredible career in the fire service. We thank you for your lasting impact and wish you the very best in this next chapter of life! #firechief #battalion #calfire #sandiegocounty

THE MILLAR FIRE 🔥 On Wednesday, November 20th at 1:48 p.m., a fire started near Campo Road and Millar Ranch Road in Spring Valley. The blaze initially threatened structures and prompted evacuation orders in areas of Rancho San Diego. Firefighting efforts, supported by multiple agencies in the air and on the ground successfully halted its forward progress to 11 acres. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. 🎥 @2412_fire_photo 🚁 @sdsheriff Copter 12 + @sdge Copter 129

THE RESORT 2 FIRE 🔥 On November 8th, at approximately 3:40 p.m., a fire started near Warner Springs, northwest of the Warner Springs Resort. The fire spread rapidly, fueled by dry brush and grass, but air and ground resources were able to stop the forward rate of spread within two hours. Firefighters worked through the night and by the next day, the fire was 100% contained. The fire burned 25 acres and the cause is under investigation. ✈️ @coulsonaviation 👨‍🚒 Rainbow Crew 1B #fireseason #calfire #handcrew #sandiegocounty