SACRAMENTO COUNTY, Calif. --
As fires rage across the state, Northern California strike teams are answering the call to duty. More are ready to go at a moment's notice.
A California National Guard Unit based out of Sacramento is among the teams called to help fight a 4,000-acre fire in burning in the Inyo National Forest. Strike teams from San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties are also helping out on the fire lines. They are working on the Zaca fire, which is threatening about 20 homes in Santa Barbara county
The National Guard crew took off from Mather Field Saturday afternoon in a Blackhawk Helicopter. The Blackhawk is a valuable tool in firefighting efforts, making 25 drops before stopping to refill. A second Blackhawk is on standby at Mather Field.
Meanwhile, Sacramento Metro firefighters from Station 109 in Carmichael have their bags packed in case they get the call. Besides two sets of uniforms - a heavier version for fighting house fires and a lighter one for battling wildland fires - they must also bring water and toilet paper.
"We have to be ready at a moments notice," said Sacramento firefighter Christ Nelson. "It is really important pack all of our toiletries, especially toilet paper because you could get stuck somewhere for a long period of time without any relief in sight."
At any given time, 200 to 250 strike teams from across the state can be mobilized, according to the California Office of Emergency Services in Sacramento. OES keeps track of the wildfire and resources available to fight them.
"Everyday here in California, we play a chess game of moving resources, both aircraft being critical, engines, hand crews," said OES's Kim Zagaris.
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