Strike Team Deployment

Penryn Fire Protection District is part of the Placer County response to wildfires with the California Office of Emergency Service. When wildfires occur, the state will call up the County Wide Strike Teams and deploy them to the fires.

The 2020 Fire Season started early and the number and sizes of the fires are record breaking.

Penryn Fire has been deployed on strike teams to the following fires for the 2020 Season.

Poeville Fire

This fire started in the Peavine Mountains outside of Reno on June 26, 2020, with high winds contributing to fire growth. Captain Eric Gordon, Engineer Ryan Spiegelberg, and Intern Firefighter Bradyn Keeler responded for a 48-hour deployment. Captain Brian Mancebo deployed as a Strike Team Leader Trainee. Captain Gordon managed to rescue an injured wild deer fawn.

Captain Eric Gordon and rescued Fawn

Smoke Plume over Reno Skyline

Hog Fire

This fire started at Hog Flats Reservoir, which is west of Susanville. The strike team deployed on July 20, 2020 with Captain Brian Mancebo, Engineer Ryan Spiegelberg, and Intern Firefighters Bradyn Keeler and Daniel Hannigan. The strike team was deployed for 11 days, returning July 30, 2020.

Engineer Spiegelberg, Intern Firefighters Hannigan and Keeler

Smoke Plume from Hog Fire

Retardant Drop

Intern Firefighters watching containment line after retardant drop.

Lake Fire

This fire started in the Lake Hughes area of the Angeles National Forest, which is in unincorporated Los Angeles County, on August 12, 2020. The strike team deployed on August 13, 2020 with Captain Brian Mancebo, Engineer Dustin Miller, Intern Firefighters Bradyn Keeler and Aidan Williams.

Ranch 2 Fire

This fire started in San Gabriel Canyon in the Angeles National Forest on August 13, 2020. The strike team of Captain Mancebo, Engineer Miller, Intern Firefighters Keeler and Williams were reassigned from the Lake Fire on August 14, 2020.

Guarding Containment line

Moc Fire

This fire started in Tuolumne County on August 20, 2020. The strike team of Captain Mancebo, Engineer Miller, Intern Firefighters Keeler and Williams were reassigned from the Ranch 2 Fire on August 21, 2020. The strike team was demobilized on August 27, 2020.

North Complex Fire

The North Complex is grouping of wildfires that broke out August 18, 2020 in the Plumas National Forest, north northeast of Oroville due to lightning strikes. The strike team of Captain Mike Barsdale, Engineer Edgar Olineka, and Intern Firefighters Zachary Bennett and Aidan Williams deployed on August 29, 2020. Crews from B-38 were integral in containing a spot fire that was moving uphill towards the town of Greenhorn. The next morning, the strike team was credited by Division for saving the town.

Guarding Containment line

North Complex Fire

On September 13, 2020 the strike team crews were swapped out by Captain Eric Gordon, Engineer Dustin Miller, and Intern Firefighter Bradyn Keeler. The strike team was demobilized on September 27, 2020.

Flying embers from Burning Tree

Guarding Containment line on Steep Terrain

Glass Fire

This fire started in the Napa Valley on September 27, 2020. The strike team of Captain Eric Gordon, Engineer Ryan Spiegelberg, and Intern Firefighter Zachary Bennett was deployed on September 29, 2020. The strike team returned from deployment on October 11, 2020.

Engineer Spiegelberg pumping water to a house on fire

Captain Gordon (right) extinguishing fire in house. Intern Firefighter Bennett watching on left.