Santa Barbara Firefighters Rescue 90 Campers at Circle V
I’m Ed Smith, a Santa Barbara car accident lawyer. Responders and rescue personnel working at the Whittier Fire in Santa Barbara County are always heroes but became even more so when they rescued a group of 90 campers at the Circle V Ranch Camp, along with their counselors.
What Happened
The Whittier Fire began on July 8, and as of this date, it has consumed more than 18,015 acres. Dry brush and high temperatures along with wind contributed to the rapid spread of the fire, which was reported as 49-percent contained as of the date of this report. Dave Dahlberg, a patrolman with the U.S. Forest Service, was sent to a near by area to ensure that those leaving would not get in the way of emergency responders. Officers with the California Highway Patrol also arrived to handle control of the traffic. This is when they heard on the radio about the counselors and campers trapped at the ranch camp where fire engulfed both sides of the dirt road that led to the camp.
Initial Efforts to Reach the Campers
Dahlberg headed toward the camp while a veteran firefighter from Santa Barbara, Mark Linane Jr., cleared the way by using a bulldozer to move boulders and fallen trees. It was reported that visibility was severely limited by the thick smoke in the area. Linane arrived at the camp and cleared areas around the buildings while Dahlberg spoke with the counselors and children, keeping them calm. It was almost five hours later before the campers could be safely removed from the area.
Rescue Personnel and Efforts to Contain the Fire
Crew members from the Search and Rescue Team in Santa Barbara arrived in SUVs and passenger vans at a nearby golf course, prepared to go into the camp and perform the rescue. They were called to come three times but had to back off when the access became compromised due to fire and smoke. At the same time, helicopters dropped water and a DC-10 sprayed fire retardant in order to get the area under control sufficiently enough to bring the campers out.
Search and Rescue Team Takes Campers to Safety
Finally, the search and rescue team, composed of 15 members and 7 vehicles, was given the go ahead to make their way to the camp for the rescue. The campers and counselors were loaded into vehicles and made slow progress down the 1 1/2 mile road to Highway 154. From there, they were loaded onto buses provided by Santa Ynez Chumash and taken to safety at Solvang.
Motor Vehicle Accidents During Times of Danger
Motor vehicle accidents are all too common in California. The danger can be amplified when a natural disaster such as a wildfire comes into play. People become frightened and anxious to leave the area. When that happens, they can become careless. When you have been injured through negligence by another person, you may wish to consult with a seasoned personal injury lawyer to find out what your rights are and how to recover damages. While financial recovery for damages will not help an injured person get well faster or bring back a loved one, it does make the financial end more tolerable.
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Attorney Ed Smith
Santa Barbara Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Santa Barbara car accident lawyer. Motor vehicle accidents caused by negligence bring additional suffering to those who were injured or lost family members. If you or someone you love has suffered an injury or loss, please call my office at (805) 372-0200. I can offer you my friendly advice, and it is free of cost. In areas outside Santa Barbara, call me at (800) 404-5400.
As a member of Million Dollar Advocates Forum, I am proud to belong to a group of trial lawyers with a proven record of million and/or multimillion dollar client settlements and verdicts.
For 35 years, I have helped residents of California and Santa Barbara obtain fair compensation as an injury lawyer for their personal injuries and claims for wrongful death.
Reading reviews about a law firm are important when you are deciding who to phone for assistance. You can find reviews and ratings about my firm at Yelp, Google, and Avvo. The list of Past Verdicts and Settlements on my website may also be helpful.
As the founder of autoaccident.com, I am pleased to be the owner of one of the most comprehensive sites for information on personal injuries in Northern California.
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/en/fire-fighters-night-heat-hot-blaze-1002283/
Article Information: Santa Barbara Car Accident Lawyer, Edward A Smith
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