As of Wednesday, 16 large wildfires were burning across California, putting a huge strain on fire departments. But they are coordinating and sharing resources, as was the case for two South Bay teams.
The crew from Cal Fire's station in Morgan Hill is assisting at the Mendocino Complex and Carr fires up north, and that move activated some teams from the San Jose Fire Department to cover the Morgan Hill station.
The mutual aid is needed more than ever.
"Fire season used to be May to the end of October, and then we would get a break from November through April," San Jose fire Capt. Mitchell Matlow said. "It isn't like that anymore. Fire season is essentially year-round. Things slow down in the winter, but it doesn't really stop."
Reserve firefighters have been called in, and crews are working overtime to keep the San Jose Fire Department fully staffed while the regular crews are away.
