AUGUST 29 UPDATE: See some recent photos taken by ECFD of the Rim Fire and American Fire at: http://www.el-cerrito.org/gallery.aspx?PID=950

ORIGIONAL POST:
On August 17th, Captain Kevin Janes was deployed to the American Fire in Placer County that is burning just outside of Forest Hill, CA. This fire started on August 10, 2013 and is burning in the Tahoe National Forest and has consumed almost 10,000 acres. Over 1,300 personnel are working on this incident which is located in an extremely steep and remote area with very little access by road. At this point there has been very little threat to structures, however the fire is damaging the middle and north fork of the American River watershed area.

Captain Janes is assigned to the California Incident Management Team #4 as the Incident Communication Manager. The duration of his deployment is unknown at this point as the last reported status on the fire indicated it was only 31% contained.

On August 20th, Engine 372 with Captain Castrejon, Captain Renshaw, Engineer Crumpacker and Firefighter Michalek were deployed to the Rim Fire, Stanislaus County, as part of a Contra Costa County strike team. Battalion Chief David Gibson is commanding this strike team which includes engines from San Ramon, Contra Costa County Fire, Rodeo/Hercules, and Moraga-Orinda. Richmond Battalion Chief Merlin Turner is serving as an assistant strike team leader.
On August 21st, OES 300 with Captain Cheshareck, Engineer Yun, Firefighter Wade and Firefighter Faulkner were deployed to join up with Engine 372 at the Rim Fire. OES 300 was deployed with OES Engine 290 (Moraga-Orinda), 262 (Colma), 340 (Alameda County) and 348 (East Bay Regional Parks).

The Rim Fire which started this past Saturday afternoon has now grown to over 17,000 acres and is starting to get close to over 2,500 homes in the Ferretti Road area north of Highway 120. The fire at this time is only 5% contained and there are over 1000 firefighters assigned to this incident. It should be noted that two of the members that were deployed on OES 300 and Engine 372 have less than two months on the job and will have the pleasure of experiencing the feeling of helping thy neighbor. Please keep our firefighters in your thoughts.