O.C. departments join battle against Tick fire
With the fast-moving Tick fire raging through the Santa Clarita Valley, firefighters from throughout Orange County have made their way north to help battle the blaze.
The Newport Beach Fire Department sent two engines and nine people to the Tick fire — which broke out shortly before 1:45 p.m. Thursday along Tick Canyon Road near Santa Clarita and had consumed nearly 4,300 acres and destroyed at least six homes as of Friday morning.
The department also has an additional engine with four personnel on standby for further mutual aid requests.
“Newport Beach firefighters are actively engaged in structure protection in Santa Clarita,” Fire Chief Jeff Boyles said in a statement. “We are prepared and ready to assist our Los Angeles County neighbors in this time of need through the California Mutual Aid system.”
Fed by Santa Ana winds and dry brush, the Tick fire jumped the 14 Freeway in Santa Clarita overnight, prompting more evacuations.
The Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue Department dispatched two engines Thursday — one to combat the Tick fire as part of a countywide “pre-planned strike team” and another to Placentia as a proactive measure, said Capt. Joe Noceti.
While no fire was burning near the Orange County city, the combination of Santa Ana winds, high heat and low humidity presented enough of a danger to warrant having resources there, Noceti said Friday.
The Huntington Beach Fire Department has assigned 11 personnel to respond to the Tick fire — including two engines and three battalion chiefs, according to Battalion Chief Eric McCoy.
Other Orange County cities that have responded or sent crews to the fire include Fountain Valley, Anaheim, Fullerton, Brea and the city of Orange.
“Our wildfire season is now year-round and we need all Orange County residents to be prepared, vigilant and ready for any unexpected wildland fire,” Boyles said.
The Tick fire was only 5% contained by Friday morning, according to fire officials. No injuries have been reported, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
Los Angeles Times staff writers contributed to this report.
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