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Temecula Fire Chief reports major mutual‑aid deployments to Palisades and Eaton fires, January call volume up
Summary
Fire Chief David Crater told council Temecula crews ran about 985 calls in January and that department personnel and apparatus deployed in large numbers to the Palisades and Eaton fires, with more than 300 personnel and 38 engines sent in mutual aid roles.
Temecula Fire Chief David Crater reported to the City Council Tuesday that the department handled about 985 calls in January — including roughly 15 fires, 78 traffic collisions and 725 medical emergencies — and that crews provided substantial mutual aid to the Palisades and Eaton fire responses in January.
Why it matters: The department’s staffing and mutual‑aid contributions affect local readiness and show how Temecula resources are used regionally during major incidents. Chief Crater said the department balanced mutual‑aid deployments with maintaining local coverage.
Chief Crater said command staff coordinated deployments across the county and that assistance included 38 engines, four bulldozers, multiple hand crews and more than 300 personnel organized into incident management teams. Temecula sent three engines and a state engine from Station 12 to assist, and Chief Crater said the department still maintained adequate staffing for the city while crews were deployed.
The chief showed the council a KCAL news package highlighting one household in Altadena whose home was defended in part by a crew from Cal Fire Riverside Station 73 in Temecula; Captain Will Smith and Firefighter Cameron Cable were shown in the segment. Chief Crater also highlighted ongoing community outreach — station visits, fire‑safety education, home‑exit drills and public presentations — and said five station tours were scheduled for the month.
Ending: Chief Crater thanked the council for the city’s support and asked the council to convey appreciation to the firefighters who responded to the large Southern California incidents while maintaining local coverage.
