A California volunteer fire department's station was destroyed by the Dixie Fire as its members continue to battle the second-largest wildfire in state history.
Indian Valley Fire Rescue's station was based in Greenville, an historic town that was ravaged last week by the wildfire. The firehouse was built in the 1940s, and it was not only the department's headquarters, but also a location for community members to congregate.
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“So this was the corner of the fire station. Our doors rolled on out to the street,” said Indian Valley Fire Association President Will Meyers told KTXL-TV. “We were out so busy taking care of other people’s houses and structures that we didn’t have time to get Engine 26 out.”
With the station burned to the ground, the department's 15 members will need to answer calls from their homes. Along with Greenville, Indian Valley Fire Rescue also serves the surrounding communities of Taylorsville, Indian Falls, Arlington and Genesee.
“You are your own first responder. So, we try to help best we can, but we just do not have the resources, the funding,” Meyers told FOX40.
“Important thing is that this really severely hampered our efforts to be able to protect and serve the community. Sorry, more frustrating than anything,” Meyers said.
The station wasn't the only loss for department members caused by the Dixie Fire. The wildfire burned down the houses of at least four firefighters, the department stated in a social media post.
GoFundMe campaigns have been created for the firefighters, and links can be found on the department's Facebook page.
