Napa Sends Crew to Rim Fire in Yosemite

A four-person crew from Napa City Fire Department left last night to help fight the growing Rim Fire in Yosemite, said Napa Fire Capt. Joey Oliva.

Oliva said the crew -- a captain, a driver-operator and two firefighter-paramedics -- arrived in Yosemite at 3 a.m. today and was immediately assigned to protect homes and other structures.

"They started on structure protection at 5 a.m.," Oliva said.

The Napa crew left at 10:30 p.m. Wednesday with a five-engine strike team of other fire companies in the area. The local strike team joined hundreds of other firefighters from around the Bay Area already at the scene trying to get the raging blaze under control.

According to the LA Times, the fire has so far burned over 16,000 acres and is only 5 percent contained.

The article said the blaze continues to spread and has already closed down Hwy. 120, the main route to Yosemite.

Oliva said the Napa crew took a state-owned fire truck that is specially equipped by the Office of Emergency Services. The engine truck is normally kept in reserve status in the city, but is used locally if one of the front-line engines is in the shop, he said.

The Napa crew is expected to stay in Yosemite anywhere from three or four days to a maximum of 14 days, he said. They sleep at a base camp set up in the area, he said.

Oliva said it was possible that Napa would send more firefighters if needed.