How to support the crews fighting the Garnet Fire

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Wednesday marks 18 days since the Garnet Fire began ravaging the Sierra National Forest.

It grew 1,870 acres overnight.

“Our current concern with the fire and our highest priority is in the north and northeast eastern part in this area,” Rachael Thurston with the U.S. Forest Service said.

Thurston says, as the fire moves north, it inches toward residential areas like Shaver Lake.

The Forest Service finished setting up its second camp at China Peak on Wednesday, which will give crews easier daily access to the fire.

“We are working very hard to keep it within the primary containment,” Thurston said.

The fire is also moving southeast toward the rural forest, creating an entirely different challenge.

“The more rugged the terrain, the harder it is for us to get crews and equipment in there. So it’s mostly hand crews that can go in there,” Thurston said.

As crews work to protect the forest, PG&E is guarding the power lines.

They sent a statement on Wednesday.

“We are protecting our assets with the support of our Safety Infrastructure Protection Team (SIPT). These crews currently have 11 trucks on site in the area of the Garnet Fire, pretreating PG&E assets by applying fire retardant. This team works year-round to provide quick action during emergencies, and every crew member is EMT-certified. All members have also previously worked for fire and other first responder agencies.” – PG&E

“We’ve been working very closely with PG&E from the very beginning… That power generation, it feeds, you know, the San Joaquin Valley, which feeds the world. So we understand the importance of that,” Thurston said.

She says teams are working 12-24-hour shifts on 14-day schedules. It’s worth it for those they serve, though.

“These thank you cards and the signs that we see out in the neighborhoods, they’re a big boost for the firefighters when they see them,” Thurston said.

Many civilians have stopped by their post at Avocado Lake to bring food and even offer their own homes to the fire crews.

Thurston says they have those necessities covered, though.

“It’s not really possible for us to take donations of food and things like that,” she said.

She says it’s better to just write the firefighters a card.

“Especially the line crews, they really get a kick out of that,” Thurston said.