Benicia Firefighters Help Battle Monument, Dixie Fires

BENICIA, CA — As nearly a dozen wildfires rage throughout California, firefighters are working around the clock to get them under control. The Benicia Fire Department is one of many agencies offering assistance to those battling the flames at ground zero.

Benicia firefighters announced Thursday that crew members are currently assisting with the Monument fire. According to the department, its firefighters recently put out a hot spot that hopped Highway 299.

As Benicia firefighters help battle the wildfires, service to residents at home will not suffer, they stressed.

"While these firefighters are helping our neighbors in Trinity County, we remain fully staffed here at home," the department posted on its official Facebook page. "There will be no interruptions in service to our community because helping Benicia residents is our No. 1 priority."

To date, the Monument fire in Trinity County remains only three percent contained and has burned more than 62,000 acres. The fire has also destroyed 31 structures, according the U.S. Forest Service.

Benicia firefighters have also been fighting the Dixie fire for almost a month. To date, the Dixie fire has become one of the most destructive in state history, and it is currently the largest wildfire burning in the United States.

Earlier this week, firefighters supported a firing operation at the Dixie fire.

"A firing operation is intentionally burning fuel ahead of the fire to create a fire break. Fire breaks are areas of already-burned fuels that stop the spread of fire to create a defensible space," the department said.

The Dixie fire currently spans four counties and more than 490,205 acres. It has also destroyed over 1,000 structures.