Photo By Jim O'Donnell | Camp Parks firefighters in Water Tender 44, approach a boundary of the Little Fire,...... read more read more
DUBLIN, Calif. — When a fast-moving wildland fire threatened structures and powerlines near Sunol, California, July 21, 2026, the Camp Parks Fire Department did not hesitate to answer the call. Demonstrating the vital strength of regional emergency partnerships, the Camp Parks Fire Department deployed crucial resources to assist regional agencies in containing the "Little Fire," which scorched over 1,007 acres of grass and brush in Alameda County. The fire, which erupted at 3:39 p.m. near Vallecitos Road and Little Valley Road, quickly expanded into a remote area characterized by difficult access and steep terrain, according to the Alameda County Fire Department website. Fueled by dry vegetation and challenging summer weather, the blaze grew to 700 acres within hours, prompting immediate evacuation orders and warnings from local authorities. Responding under an established Intragovernmental Support Agreement (IGSA) with Alameda County, Camp Parks Fire Department dispatched Water Tender 44 (WT-44) and a dedicated crew of firefighters to the scene that afternoon. The cooperative agreement allows Camp Parks and Alameda County emergency services to seamlessly provide mutual aid to one another during large-scale emergencies. "Our partnership with Alameda County is a lifeline, not just for the garrison, but for the entire community," said Lt. Col. Tony Ibrahim, Camp Parks garrison commander. "Knowing we have a highly trained, rapid-response firefighting team on Camp Parks that can integrate instantly with our civilian counterparts gives us immense pride and peace of mind. Our firefighters performed exceptionally well alongside Alameda County Fire Department and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) to keep our neighbors safe." Fighting on difficult terrain The Little Fire presented significant challenges to the hundreds of first responders on the ground and in the air. High temperatures, limited access roads, and volatile fuel conditions forced a robust, multi-agency response. CAL FIRE Santa Clara Unit and Alameda County Fire Department entered Unified Command to battle the flames, deploying ground engines, hand crews, bulldozers, air tankers, and helicopters. For the leadership overseeing the initial dispatch and operational response, joint training made all the difference. "Coordination on the ground was seamless because we train for these exact scenarios with our Alameda County partners," said Navin Basilio, Camp Parks firefighting supervisor. Among those on the front lines battling the blaze were the engine crews who directly confronted the challenging conditions and logistical constraints in the Sunol hills. "Access was limited, as well as resources; this required constant communication and the ability to remain flexible as needs arose with ACFD and Cal Fire," said Justin Chiappetta, a Camp Parks firefighter who responded to the incident. "Water Tender 44 (WT-44) holds 3,000 gallons of water and has limited off-road capabilities, so we were assigned to a location where the terrain was manageable to drive while still being able to give water to the vehicles fighting the fire." Alongside Chiappetta, other members of the Camp Parks crew worked diligently to support the fast-moving firefight. Despite the difficult conditions, which included a non-fatal CAL FIRE engine rollover that resulted in minor injuries to one firefighter, the collaborative response quickly yielded results. By the morning of July 22, forward progress of the fire was successfully halted at 1,007 acres, allowing crews to shift their focus to strengthening containment lines and patrolling for active hot spots. By July 25, the incident commander reported 100 percent containment, and all evacuation orders were lifted. A reciprocal lifeline The mutual aid provided during the Little Fire represents a reciprocal relationship that has protected both federal property and civilian communities. Nearly a year prior, the value of the IGSA#_msocom_1 was demonstrated in reverse when the "Parks Fire" erupted on Camp Parks on Aug. 22, 2025. Starting in the afternoon that day, the wildland fire that began in the training area north of Camp Parks cantonment area, threatened the military installation, prompting a rapid, coordinated response. Under the jurisdiction of the Alameda County Fire Department, civilian firefighting assets—including ground engines, air assets, and support crews—rushed to the training area. Working hand-in-hand with Camp Parks firefighters, regional crews successfully battled the blaze. Through this unified effort, the fire was fully contained by 8 p.m. on Aug. 25, 2025, preventing it from crossing boundaries into neighboring Dublin and San Ramon. "The seamless coordination between our departments is a testament to the strength of our mutual aid partnership," said Cory Rutherglen, division chief for the Alameda County Fire Department. "During the Little Fire, the crucial water support provided by Camp Parks' Water Tender 44 crew was vital to our operations on the ground. Similarly, when the Parks Fire threatened their installation in August 2025, our ACFD Hand Crew 8 and Dozer 17 were proud to stand side-by-side with them. We are safer and more effective because we operate as one team." "This is mutual aid in its truest form," Ibrahim said. "In August 2025, our civilian neighbors stood with us when fire threatened our training area. This July, we were honored to stand with them to defend Sunol. These actions prove that emergency safety knows no municipal boundaries."
| Date Taken: | 09.02.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 09.03.2026 18:10 |
| Story ID: | 573954 |
| Location: | DUBLIN, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 26 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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