Huge Eagle Fire Operation Begins Demobilization

Fire trucks from various agencies were rolling down the highways out of the Eagle Fire zone on Thursday, as the demobilization of some crews got under way.

"Since Cal Fire is the lead agency, we tend to let other agencies go first but it depends on what is needed and what kind of equipment each agency has," said Ron Oatman, a public information officer assigned to the fire.

More than 2,000 firefighters from all over California have battled the brush fire, which began in the Warner Springs area last Thursday night and spread into Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

In addition, SDG&E helped out with its Erickson Air-Crane, a unit which has the biggest capacity to carry water to fire zones.

The remaining areas in the fire zone which were not contained as of  Thursday afternoon were north of Indian Head in the state park and south of Sheep Canyon.

In addition to the crews that came in to assist with the effort, Cal Fire reported that the weather worked in its favor.

As of Thursday night, the blaze had burned through 14,100 acres and was 80 percent contained. It began on Los Coyotes Indian Reservation, on land leased to a private company, —which offers the land for training exercises done by military and other government entities.

Cal Fire has determined that the fire was caused by arson.

As fire crews traveled out of town, some of them stopped to purchase a memento of their time spent in San Diego county's backcountry—a T-shirt or sweatshirt memorializing the fire suppression effort and noting all the agencies involved. A private Sacramento company set up a roadside stand on Highway 79 selling the shirts, which were printed on demand. It was not affiliated with any of the fire agencies, Cal Fire told Patch. On Thursday, it had a steady business.

The T-shirts reflect the camaraderie that builds among firefighters who travel to incidents, reconnect from previous fires they've worked on and who wish to remember the team feeling.

"We built this city in about 24 hours," Tom Piranio, an engineer/paramedic from Ramona's Station 82 said of the command post at Puerta La Cruz Conservation Camp. "We've been living here as a family. We've come through this incident together, and as it comes to a close it's nice to have a way to remember it."

"T-shirts are sold after every fire incident," said Capt. Fernando Herrara of Cal Fire in Riverside. "Everyone looks forward to it. Everyone has pride in every incident they go to."

Piranio added: "Some firefighters sew them together as quilts or sheets.”

Herrara said he has about 200 T-shirts, which firefighters consider collectibles.

In addition to Piranio, the following Cal Fire employees who either live or work in Ramona have been working the Eagle Fire: division chiefs Kevin O'Leary and Greg Griswold, Battalion Chief Robert McLaughlin, Capt. Josh Black, Capt. Abby O'Leary (Kevin O'Leary's daughter, who is working in the finance division) and firefighter/paramedic Jeff Miller.