By Sally Sexton
Weatherford Democrat
PARKER COUNTY, Texas — Three first responders out of Parker County were deployed to California over the weekend, joining others in the effort to fight raging wildfires.
ESD 1 Battalion Chief Aaron Moore was deployed Sunday as a STEN/Strike Team Leader with several North Texas area departments.
Parker County Hospital District sent one of its EMS trucks along with paramedics AJ Bigham and Rusty Calhoun.
The trio is part of more than 135 firefighters, emergency management and medical personnel, as well as over 45 fire engines, ambulances, command vehicles and equipment sent out by Gov. Greg Abbott to help crews in California.
The fires, among the most destructive in state history, have killed at least 24 people and displaced over 100,000.
As of press time, the Palisades Fire, the largest, had burned more than 23,700 acres and still threatened residential areas. A second fire, the Eaton Fire, covered more than 14,000 acres. Palisades was 17% contained, and Eaton 37%.
“Our hearts grieve with the entire Los Angeles community as they continue to respond to these destructive wildfires,” said Abbott. “Texans know all too well the devastation wildfires can cause to our communities, and our country is stronger when we come together in times of crisis.
“I thank all the brave firefighters and first responders who are answering the call to help Californians in need as these fires continue to burn. Cecilia and I pray for the victims who lost their lives and their families, the heroic men and women of CAL FIRE, the Los Angeles Fire Department, and the entire state of California during this difficult time.”
Texas crews were deployed through the Texas Division of Emergency Management, Texas A&M Forest Service, Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System and Texas Emergency Medical Task Force. This deployment is coordinated under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, a state-to-state mutual aid system that enables states to provide assistance and share resources with another state in response to a disaster or emergency.
Hundreds of animals have also been displaced as evacuations continued.
The Pasadena Humane Society took in 250 pets in the first day after the fires started, while Los Angeles County Animal Care was looking after 97 pets — mostly cats and dogs but also pigs, a turtle, a bird, and a snake, said Christopher Valles, a department spokesperson.
Saving Hope Rescue out of Fort Worth was one of numerous entities partnering to help.
The rescue said it is committed to taking several dogs — two planes were set to arrive in Fort Worth this week with more than 100 dogs that were already in California shelters — to make room for pets of families displaced by the wildfires.
Fosters are the primary need, but donations and volunteers are also requested. For more information, visit savinghoperescue.org.
