07/03/08

Much of the state of California is up in flames; and with resources running dry, agencies have asked for assistance from firefighters in Idaho with many coming from the Magic Valley.

Nine fire engines from the magic valley and more than 30 firefighters loaded their trucks onto flatbeds and headed down to California.

The State of Idaho's Emergency Management Agency was asked to send 10 engines to assist with more than one thousand wildfires that are currently burning in the golden state, with their main priority to protect homes.

Ed Krause, Assist Chief Heyburn Fire Dept. says, "We’ll make sure no fires get to them of course and if there is a fire line we hold them and if a house gets involved that's what we are here for."

The reason fire agencies decided to load their engines onto trucks is the fact that traveling more than a thousand miles can be a year of wear and tear from what they normally travel locally.

Dee Hunsaker, Rock Creek Fire Dept, says, "When you talk 1100 miles that a lot of miles to put on a truck so safety factor wise and it's a lot easier to haul them down and save wear and tear."

Fire fighters say they expect to be in California for at least two weeks, with many fire crews being strictly volunteers, it can be hard since they have to be taken away from their daily lives.

In a sense fire crews say this is a way to give back to those agencies that helped battle last years Castle Rock Fire. In the end, each member has the same goal which is to help save lives.