CORONA DEL MAR TODAY

Newport Firefighters Sent to Fight Northern Blazes

Corrected Version

Newport Beach firefighters left early today to help fight the Oak Glen Fire, officials said.

“At 3 o’clock this morning, the Fashion Island and Lido engines were dispatched to the Oak Glen Fire in San Bernardino,” said Newport Beach Fire Marshal Steve Bunting. “The crews were immediately deployed into a residential neighborhood containing over 100 structures that were in the path of the fire. The two Newport engines were part of mixed Orange County strike teams consisting of five engines and a battalion chief per strike team.”

Bunting added that all of Newport Beach fire stations are fully staffed, and that two reserve engines were placed into service.

As the fires rage to the north, Newport Beach firefighters continue to implement the new Ready! Set! Go! program, which grades Corona del Mar homeowners and others who live on canyons that present high fire risks. About two-thirds of 1,000 homes have been inspected and given scores rating their fire risks, Bunting said.

“I haven’t put the scores on a map yet but I can tell you there will be a lot more red than green,” he said. “I would simply say that any time before the fire starts is a good time to cut back your vegetation and harden your home. There are plenty of people in California this week that wish they had.”

To read our original story about the program, go here. To see the Melody Lane fire from the Ready! Set! Go! dvd, visit the fire department’s website here.