Photo By Master Sgt. Salli Sablan | Spc. Julia Ritledge, a military police soldier with the 870th Military Police Company,...... read more read more
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LAKEPORT, Calif. - The California Army National Guard’s 870th Military Police Company straddled a line while helping Northern California communities suffering from recent wildfires.
On one side there was compassion for families that had lost homes and valuables. On the other was the need to enforce the rule of law against those taking advantage of the suffering.
Approximately 100 troops from the Pittsburg, California-based unit responded to a “humanitarian call for help” as thousands of Lake County residents began returning to their homes late September. Families in Middletown, Loch Lomond, Cobb and nearby cities escaped the Valley Fire — one of California’s worst wildfires in the state’s history — after a mandatory evacuation more than a week earlier.
“We’re in an unprecedented disaster,” said Lake County Sheriff Brian L. Martin. “The mission we’re tasked with doing exceeds our capabilities. We’re a small rural area and simply don’t have the manpower to accomplish everything. Bringing in the National Guard allows us to serve our communities. The National Guard is working as force multipliers for our local agencies.”
The California Guard’s military police took center stage, following a string of emergency activations since early August to assist in the battle against the Golden State’s raging wildfires. Hand crews, air assets, fuelers, bridge builders and other California Guard assets had already joined the fight. The 870th stepped forward, serving the public as traffic controllers at designated intersections. But troops momentarily interacted with families as they escorted residents back to their homes. Some residents were briefly allowed to return for necessities, such as obtaining medication, feeding animals and pets, and getting important documentation.
Sadly, some returned to nothing. The Valley Fire consumed more than 75,000 acres quickly, and nearly 900 buildings and homes were destroyed in a matter of days. Troops remained compassionate to these victims, even offering their assistance to help find the things that were left.
“It’s shocking to see the wreckage. It’s one thing to hear about the loss of property, but it’s another thing to see the devastation in person and to think what it would feel like if it were me,” said Spc. Julia A. Rutledge, of the 870th. “We have to remember to have a softer approach, we’re supporting the civilian population; we’re here to help them. With combat you have to be more aware of your personal safety than with a humanitarian mission.”
“It’s hard to explain. I’ve never been on a mission like this, but it feels good to help them get back to their place,” added Sgt. Michael W. Jenkins. “But to see what has happened to them, you have mixed emotions about it. You are happy to help those that don’t have property damage but need to get into their home for pet care or other things, but right down the road, you see their neighbors’ houses are leveled.”
At the traffic check points, California Guardsmen converse with returning residents, offering water and other treats, and doing other little things.
“This is a humanitarian service mission and the Guard members understand that. It’s not a military operation, it’s helping members of our own community coming back, to help our community,” added Martin.
“All I can say is, I’m glad the National Guard finally got here,” said Kelseyville resident Royce Tibbetts, a Lake County Public Works employee who was with California Guardsmen as they directed traffic at the base of Cobb Mountain. “They’re Soldiers who’ve seen the worst of war. ... They can relate to what just happened here.”
For more than a decade, Tibbetts worked the roads of Lake County, digging trenches, removing debris and even cutting trees. He, too, couldn’t fathom the Valley Fire devastation and how fast it consumed the community.
“There’s nothing up there to return to,” he said, pointing up the mountain. “It’s like a tornado went through, then a massive fire. It was like the perfect storm.”
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention (CAL FIRE) ranks the Valley Fire as one of the state’s most destructive wildfires. In less than 10 days it threatened 3,500 structures, injured four firefighters and killed three civilians. More than 4,000 firefighters and 350 engines responded. Just over 10,000 people were evacuated, according to Martin. In terms of structural damage, the Valley Fire ranks No. 6 overall of California’s worst wildfires, per CAL FIRE.
The 2003 Cedar Fire in San Diego County still ranks as the deadliest wildfire in California. It burned more than 273,000 acres, destroyed close to 2,900 structures and killed 15.
Along with compassion for the displaced comes disappointment. Martin gathered supporting police officers, law enforcement personnel, CAL FIRE officials and California Guardsmen for a regular briefing regarding lawbreakers that were present taking advantage of those who evacuated. Homes had been broken into and property had been stolen.
As people return, emotions will run high, Martin explained. Public order and security must be enforced.
“We’re asking everyone to be compassionate and be understanding to some degree, but if there are people who don’t have a solid, legitimate purpose for being here, they’re going to jail. This place is not for a vacation,” Martin said. “With the National Guard being here, that’ll open up my officers and sergeants to do their jobs. We’re thankful for the military police. We’ll be able to do our community mission thanks to them.”
The Valley Fire, burning simultaneously with the Butte Fire, is one of several major wildfires California National Guard units have responded to this year. In August, the Rocky, Jerusalem and Humboldt Lightning fires required the California Guard’s assistance. Air assets have also dropped water and retardant on other fires this year.
So far in 2015, there have been more than 5,300 fires in California, according to CAL FIRE. Total acreage burned: nearly 300,000. And it’s just September. There were about 3,700 fires alone in 2014.
California currently faces its most severe drought on record, according to the state’s official website. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. declared a drought State of Emergency in January 2014, proclaiming “a distinct possibility exists that the current drought will stretch into a fifth straight year in 2016 and beyond.”
| Date Taken: | 09.21.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 09.23.2015 19:06 |
| Story ID: | 177022 |
| Location: | LAKEPORT, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 444 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, California National Guard military police unit activates for fire mission, by SSG Edward Siguenza, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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