SAN DIEGO – As part of Task Force Bulldozer, 40 local sailors from the Amphibious Construction Battalion 1 are conducting bulldozer training today with Cal Fire and the California Department of Forestry for potential firefighting support missions in San Diego County.
The Navy continued to attack the fire from the air Wednesday. Six Navy MH-60 helicopters from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 85 dropped 133,560 gallons of water on the Harris Ranch Fire. On Wednesday night, two HM-60 helicopters from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 3 conducted infra-red fire perimeter mapping, while Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron 6 flew a critical infrastructure assessment mission over the Witch Creek Fire and Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron (Light) 45 flew a critical infrastructure assessment mission over the Harris Ranch Fire.
On the ground, Navy civilian firefighters from Navy bases around the country are working alongside other firefighters.
Averting a power crisis Wednesday, the Navy helped San Diego Gas & Electric avoid rolling blackouts by shifting 25 ships from shore power to shipboard power, conserving close to 100 megawatts during a time of critical need.
Along with combating the fires and helping the civilian community, Navy Region Southwest is providing support to more than 1,900 Navy personnel, civilian employees, military retirees and their families at facilities on Naval Base San Diego and Naval Base Coronado. Almost 700 personnel have returned home since Wednesday.
To assist displaced military families and single military members, the Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society is offering financial assistance and emergency interest-free loans. Naval Base Coronado Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society office is located on Naval Air Station North Island, Building 318. The phone numbers are (619) 435-8786 and (619) 545-7202.