PM Update: U.S. Army to help battle wildfires
Soldiers from Washington's Joint Base Lewis-McChord have arrived in California to battle one of the state's worst wildfires.
(Photo courtesy Joint Base Lewis-McChord/U.S. Army)
Around 200 active duty soldiers have been sent to Northern California to help battle wildfires burning across the region.
The soldiers come from Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington, a military installation about two hours outside of Seattle.
The soldiers will be tasked with battling the August Complex Wildfire, a blaze that started from more than three dozen dry lightning strikes on August 17. That wildfire is separate from the LNU Lightning Complex wildfire, which also started from lightning strikes on the same day, though soldiers could be reassigned at a later time to assist with that and other fires in the future.
The soldiers will work with federal partners from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service (USFS) along with other public safety partners at the local and state level.
Other states have also sent fire crews and National Guard members to California during this year’s wildfire season. National Guard crews have assisted in battling the LNU Lightning Complex wildfire, according to a press release issued by CAL FIRE, though it wasn’t immediately clear how many members had been assigned to the blaze.
The assistance comes as wildfire crews have been spread thin due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Inmate fire crews have not been able to assist local and state firefighters due to the pandemic, and safety issues have made it difficult for those who are on the front lines to battle fires in packs.
A military spokesperson told the Stars & Stripes newspaper the Army soldiers are “well-equipped with all the protective gear needed to keep them safe, to include in a [coronavirus] pandemic.”
Fast Facts
375,209 acres burned
66 percent contained
2,730 firefighters, 46 crews assigned to fire
1,209 structures destroyed across six counties
268 single-family homes destroyed in Solano County
5 commercial buildings destroyed in Solano County
117 homes and other buildings damaged in Solano County
5 fatalities, 4 injuries confirmed
Public information line: 1-707-967-4207
Information accurate as of Monday, August 31 at 8 p.m. PDT
Property Tax Relief
Solano County officials have suspended the collection of property taxes in areas affected by the LNU Lightning Complex wildfire, the Daily Republic reported on Wednesday. Tax assessors are already starting to re-assess property values in areas impacted by the wildfire and are offering long-term property tax relief for individuals and businesses whose structures or property were damaged or destroyed by the wildfire. (Read more)
Financial Assistance
Following local, state and federal disaster declarations in connection with the LNU Lightning Complex and other wildfires, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has started processing applications for federal disaster financial assistance. Those who wish to apply should visit www.disasterassistance.gov.
Air Quality Alerts
The Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District monitors air quality in the Solano County and Yolo County areas. Today’s air quality is forecast to be unhealthy, and an air quality warning remains in place for the region. Yolo-Solano AQMD offers free air quality and Spare the Air alerts delivered by email and/or text message. (Sign up to receive air quality alerts)
Alert Solano
The Solano County Sheriff’s Department is requesting members of the community sign up for Alert Solano, a free service that offers real-time public safety alerts, including evacuation notices, severe weather, road closures/openings and other critical information. These alerts are delivered by phone call, text messages and/or email messages based on your preference. (Sign up here)
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LNU Solano is not affiliated with Solano County or any public safety agency. During times of crisis, always follow the direction of law enforcement and other public safety officials. Plan ahead for wildfires at www.readyforwildfire.org.