L.A. county fire pre-deploying extra patrols to high risk burn areas

AGOURA HILLS, Calif. - The Los Angeles County Fire Department is augmenting staffing and pre deploying resources in high-risk burn areas ahead of a major Santa Ana wind event expected to begin early Thursday morning.

“This is definitely going to be one of our more significant events,” said Captain Tony Imbrenda. “Pre-positioning resources in brushy areas during these wind events is a key part of our strategy.”

Imbrenda said the department will be adding a fourth firefighter to 27 engines, staffing 16 extra patrols, and pre-deploying three strike teams in high-risk areas.

One strike steam will be based at station 89 in Agoura Hills.

A second will be positioned at station 150 in Santa Clarita near the I-5 corridor.

A third will be deployed at Camp 2 in the La Canada area.

“All three areas are traditionally impacted significantly from an offshore wind event,” Imbrenda said.