El Segundo outlines wildfire response: engines deployed, N95 masks available, street-sweeping enforcement paused

Fire Chief Avery and Police Chief Saul Rodriguez updated El Segundo residents on the city’s response to Southern California wildfires, saying the city has deployed firefighting resources to assist neighboring areas, is hosting evacuees and has temporarily paused street-sweeping enforcement.

“We wanted to reach out to the residents of El Segundo to give an update on our city's combined emergency response to the wildfires that are still burning as we speak,” Fire Chief Avery said. He told residents the El Segundo Fire Department had deployed two engines and eight firefighters as part of two South Bay strike teams while remaining “fully staffed and ready to serve the El Segundo community at a moment’s notice.” Chief Avery said the city’s emergency management team is in constant contact with the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management.

The update emphasized regional air-quality hazards and local public-safety measures. “Smoke, wind, dust, and debris have created potentially unhealthy air throughout the region,” Chief Avery said, and he urged residents to avoid using open flames and fire-burning appliances. He also said Chevron donated N95 masks that are available at the El Segundo City Library and the Jocelyn Center during regular business hours while supplies last.

Police Chief Saul Rodriguez described patrols and security steps for evacuees. “Our officers from the El Segundo Police Department are currently patrolling the areas of Pasadena and Altadena,” Rodriguez said. “Our officers, in conjunction with other South Bay agencies, are on scene to assist with looter suppression efforts through high visibility patrols and conducting security checks.” He said officers are working alongside the National Guard and that because El Segundo is hosting evacuees, the police department would not enforce street-sweeping citations this week through Friday.

The city also cited guidance from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, which the update said has banned the use of air blowers and leaf blowers while air quality remains compromised. The statement advised residents to avoid using those devices until the county lifts its restriction and to monitor official sources for changing conditions.

For updates the city directed residents to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection website, fire.ca.gov, and to the city’s website and social media channels. (The city website address given in the meeting transcript contained a typographical error; the city’s official site is elsegundo.org.)

Details in the meeting record: the fire department’s deployment was described as two engines and eight firefighters assigned to two South Bay strike teams; Chevron’s donation was described as N95 masks available at the city library and the Jocelyn Center “while supplies last”; the county restriction on air blowers and leaf blowers was described as a Los Angeles County Public Health action; police patrols were described as active in Pasadena and Altadena; and street-sweeping enforcement was described as suspended “this week through Friday.” The transcript did not specify exact dates for the suspension or the number of evacuees hosted by El Segundo.

City officials encouraged residents to follow county and state public-health guidance and to check fire.ca.gov and elsegundo.org for the latest advisories.