On The Rim Fires Front Line

Tuolumne County, CA — As the flames spread on the Rim Fire, so does the number of resources battling the blaze. The National Interagency Coordination Center Incident Management Situation Report shows 3,752 firefighters are on the scene. The report states 338 firefighter change shifts every 24 hours.

Cal Fire Fresno Unit Capt. Sam Johnson is on the front lines of the RIM Fire.

“Will stay out there 24 hours and then will switch out with new recruits and engines to replace us. We’ll rest and have a meal and then it’s back at it again.”

Johnson says the dry conditions and rough terrain are challenging, but he says one of the biggest problems on the front lines of the Rim Fire is spotting.

“We’re seeing very dry condition. We’re trying to hold it, but we still get spots over the line and we have to chase those and put them out to try to hold containment on the other side of the line.”

According to the report there are 62 crews and 460 engines with 5 helicopters committed to the Rim Fire.