Tribe dispatches crew to help fight Camp Fire in northern California

The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde sent a Type 6 wildland fire engine with a three-person crew to northern California on Friday, Nov. 9, to help fight the Camp Fire, which has become the most destructive fire in the state’s history.

More than 40 people have been killed by the fire and more than 6,400 structures have been destroyed, according to news reports.

Silviculture & Fire Protection Program Manager Colby Drake said employees Daniel Schramm, Mike Graham and Uriah Aaron have been surveying neighborhoods and finding pets and animals and trying to feed or water them. In addition, they are documenting the animals’ locations to help find them and have a head count for a later date. Their first shift was on Saturday, Nov. 10.

“We may make a second Type 6 available this week if employees are available,” Drake said on Tuesday, Nov. 13.

Drake said that Schramm described the devastation due north of Sacramento as “apocalyptic.”

A Type 6 wildland fire engine is specifically designed to assist in fighting wildfires by transporting firefighters to the scene and providing them with access, along with water and other equipment.