Fires in CA

I have been wanting to be a firefighter for several years, put myself through a Basic Fire Academy, myself and many other friends show up at every department test we can along with several hundred to thousands of people... I even work in a fire department full time on the ambulance program.

But today there are huge fires just 5 miles from my own home, and I am watching on TV houses and apartments burn down with no firefighters on scene cause there is not enough resources.

I know I am new to the fire service and still have lots to learn, but I don't get how houses can be burning out of control when there are thousands of people desperately wanting to get out there and help. I know there must be some reasons... but in my mind it doesn't make sense since I wanna be out there helping but instead just watch it on TV.

Here is a view of the smoke over my house this afternoon...

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Permalink Reply by Jared Lelaidier on November 19, 2008 at 6:58pm

I know how you feel bro living in michigan and watching all that go down makes me want to jump on a plane so bad, I had a red card class set up for this fall but it was cancelled because of lack of interest, I just hope another one pops up.

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Permalink Reply by Jim on November 20, 2008 at 5:15pm

I know it is frustrating to watch what is going on and not being able to do anything. Imagine how it feels on the front lines. A friend of mine is on the Cali fires and says that they have been pulled out of the fire areas because of the danger and has had to watch several houses burn to the ground. Keep trying. your Dept is out there.