South Whatcom Firefighters Step Up to Fight California’s Palisade Fire

You’ve probably heard about the Palisades Fire in California. In case you haven’t here is what it looks like overlaid on Bellingham.

In the early hours of January 10, four of our own – Lt. Jen Squire and Firefighters Sean Hecker, Annie Leete, and Ethan Gerard – packed up their gear and boarded a structural fire engine bound for California as part of a regional strike team. Their mission? To help communities affected by the devastating Palisade Fire in Los Angeles County.

Here’s how their journey has unfolded so far:

The Call to Action

The crew left Bellingham around 4:30 a.m. as part of a multi-agency response team, joining forces with firefighters from DuPont FD, Snohomish County Fire, South County Fire, and Central Whidbey Fire, plus a Strike Team Leader from Snohomish County. They’re cross-trained for both wildland and structural firefighting, ready to take on whatever the situation demands.

For these four, it’s not just about doing a job – it’s about making a difference. Leaving their homes and loved ones behind, they’ve committed up to 18 days of long, grueling shifts under tough conditions to protect lives and property in California.

The Road to the Fireline

By January 11, the strike team had made their way to Davis, CA, after traveling all day and night. After catching a few hours of rest, they checked in for inspection and prepared to receive their assignment.

On the morning of January 12, the team got their orders: they were headed to the Palisade Fire. After staging in the area, they were deployed to Mandeville Canyon, tasked with structure protection in neighborhoods facing immediate danger.

Reports from the team have described the devastation as "unbelievable." Despite the heartbreak surrounding them, they’re laser-focused on helping in any way they can.

Tough Work, Steep Terrain

Fast forward to January 13, and the E22 crew is already making an impact. The team worked tirelessly through steep terrain overnight, providing structure protection and extinguishing hot spots to keep the fire from spreading.

Their shift? A grueling 30 hours straight. But the team is resilient, knowing the work they’re doing is critical to saving homes and offering hope to the communities affected. After some much-needed rest, they’ll return to the fireline for their next assignment on January 14th.

Stay safe out there, Team E22