Santa Monica Fire Department renders "Mutual Aid" to Sand Fire

Friday, July 22, 2016, Santa Monica Firefighters answered a request from the Los Angeles County Fire Department for Immediate need Mutual Aid, to assist with the battle against the Sand Fire. The Fire began Friday after a day of extremely warm temperatures. The 2 Engine Companies, comprised of 8 firefighters, returned to Santa Monica at 10:00 PM Monday evening.

The Santa Monica Strike Team assisted in the fire fight in the areas of Kagel Canyon, Bear Divide, Soledad Canyon, and Acton. Santa Monica Firefighters responded with a team comprised of Firefighters from Santa Monica, Beverley Hills, and Culver City. Santa Monica Fire Department belongs to a Statewide system, that facilitates "Mutual Aid". Fire Departments offer "Aid" to their neighbors, and in turn have help available to them when emergencies overwhelm their resources. See attached Photos.

Meanwhile, CNBC reports that Illegal drone intrusions during wildfires such as the current Sand Fire in Los Angeles County are creating hazards for firefighting aircraft, but a new technology could literally ground the unmanned flying machines and make the skies safer again.

"It's been a problem each of the last couple of fire seasons, and we continue to see incursions," said Stanton Florea, a fire information officer for the U.S. Forest Service.

The U.S. Interior Department said it was partnering with several drone industry companies and "activated a prototype warning system that provides real-time alerts and geo-fencing alarms to prevent drone pilots from interfering with firefighting operations."

This move comes as the incidents of drone intrusions over wildfires has more than doubled from 2014 to 2015, according to the Interior Department.

The agency developed the test system with DJI, a large manufacturer of unmanned aerial vehicles, and AirMap and Skyward, a provider of airspace intelligence and navigational services to unmanned aircraft.