Morongo Valley Fire Department received an emergency call Sunday afternoon to help form a strike team to help fight the Sand Fire in the Santa Clarita Valley. The emergency request meant the team, composed of Captain Andrew Arthen, Engineer Andrew Behrens, Firefighter Richard Gilmartin, and reserve Firefighter Rodriguez, left in 10 minutes of getting the call in a medic engine. The Sand Fire broke out Friday afternoon and as of Sunday evening had exploded to more than 33,000 acres, or more than 52 square miles, thanks to wind gusts of up to 40 miles per hour. Fire officials said one person has died so far in the wildfire, 18 homes have been destroyed, and 1,500 families have been forced to evacuate. The Morongo Valley firefighters could be fighting the blaze for up to two weeks.
