Arizona firefighters starting to come home after battling California blaze
Nov 19, 2018, 9:55 AM | Updated: 9:59 am
(AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)
(AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)
PHOENIX — Some of the Arizona firefighters who were sent to Southern California to battle one of the two deadly fires that are burning in the state are starting to make their way home.
Tiffany Davila, a spokeswoman for the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, told KTAR News 92.3 FM that the department only has 54 firefighters and 16 engines left to fight the Woolsey Fire.
Those firefighters will remain in the area through Thanksgiving, until California officials determine that their services are no longer needed.
The department sent more than 160 firefighters to the area after the fire broke out on Nov. 8.
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A majority of those firefighters were assigned to the fire, while other crews were pre-positioned for the next round of winds that were expected to come through the area.
At least three people have died so far from the fire, including two found in a car and one in the rubble of a charred home.
The 151-square-mile blaze was 88 percent contained on Sunday and more evacuation orders have been lifted.
It has charred a huge of swath national park land that is popular among hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders.
KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Jim Cross and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
