The San Diego Fire-Rescue department announced Friday that it will put more firefighting crews and equipment on duty starting Sunday because of the looming heat wave.
The National Weather Service office in San Diego is predicting a “dangerous heat wave” lasting through at least Wednesday with temperatures reaching the triple digits inland by Tuesday.
Officials said five brush engines, with a crew of four personnel each, and two water tenders will be staffed beginning Sunday and until the elevated fire weather conditions return to a normal level. Brush engines are large, off-road capable fire apparatus which carry between 600 and 1,500 gallons of water. Water tenders carry 3,000 gallons of water.
“Increasing staffing is something we do in an effort to respond quickly with additional resources to keep fires from threatening lives and property,” said Fire Chief Brian Fennessy.
Fennessy encouraged San Diego residents to visit the city’s fire safety website in advance of the heat wave.
