Fresno fire crews still ready, despite assisting fight with Erskine Wildfire

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fresno County fire is wasting no time helping battle the Erskine Wildfire.

The county has already sent 10 structural engines and 10 brush engines to Bakersfield.

"We also have 60 to 70 people that are down on the fire," Batt. Chief Mike Bowman with Fresno County Fire said. "Actively working in overhead or support role."

Tulare County fire is doing the same thing.

The department routed five engines, two crew buses and two dozers to assist with the growing blaze that since Thursday has burned more than 36,000 acres.

With triple digit weather headed our way next week, Bowman says it's extremely important to send extra crews to the wildfire.

"We have to call in added resource to give our guys enough of a break to be able to rehydrate take their jackets off and really get their physical body back into condition," he said.

Fresno County Fire says even though a number of resources are being sent out to Bakersfield to battle that wildfire they still have a number of firefighters here to respond to calls.

And Bowman says having close to 40 seasonal firefighters who started last week has helped with local staffing.

"It gives us a lot bigger of a pool to draw from," he said. "We have all of are stations covered we have extra folks on duty we're staffing multiple pieces of equipment.

The department also wants to remind people to call 911 the minute they see smoke.

"The quicker we can be activated," Bowman said. "The faster we can get there and bring the fire under control."