Nevada sending California firefighting reinforcements

Nevada will send two more strike teams to Southern California today to help fight the wildfires that are ravaging the region.

Nine firefighters from North Las Vegas and about 10 from rural areas of Southern Nevada were scheduled to leave this morning for the staging area in Chino, Calif., fire officials said.

Both teams are expected to stay in California for up to two weeks.

They will join more than 175 firefighters and others from Nevada who are currently assisting in Southern California.

On Wednesday night and early Thursday, the Nevada Division of Forestry sent 25 additional personnel to California for the firefighting effort. Included in the group are safety officers and forestry employees who are skilled at cutting down trees, said Mike Dondero, fire management officer for the Nevada Division of Forestry in Carson City.

"They're part of the whole operation," he said.

Earlier in the week, the Nevada Division of Forestry sent 35 strike teams composed of more than 100 firefighters to Southern California.

Dondero said those teams were battling the blazes in or near Los Angeles County. Now, they are being moved south to tackle the blazes in San Diego.

None of the firefighters have been injured.

"All their spirits are up and morale is high," Dondero said.

Contact reporter David Kihara at dkihara@reviewjournal.com or (702) 383-4638.