Magazine | Campus gives vital help to wildfire first responders

Campus gives vital help to wildfire first responders

When lightning strikes ignited major wildfires in CSUMB’s tri-county region in August, the university provided vital resources for firefighters and first responders battling the blazes.

CSUMB served as an ideal staging area for ground support because of its central location and large parking lots, according to Ken Folsom, CSUMB’s emergency manager.

Every vehicle assigned to the River and Carmel fires came to CSUMB to be repaired and demobilized. Sleeping trailers, tents and portable showers were set up on Parking Lot 59.

CSUMB also housed firefighters in the Pinnacles residence hall in single and four-bed units. Starr Lee and Cece Chavez, senior facilities coordinators for Student Housing and Residential Life, said that the numbers ranged from 50 to 115 firefighters per night, for over 14 days. Lee also worked with local Target stores to procure donations of linens, pillows, shower curtains and toiletries.

In accordance with their priorities of life, property and environment, CAL FIRE ordered mandatory evacuations. CSUMB’s University Police were enlisted in the effort to notify residents in danger from the River, Carmel and Dolan fires.

“We’ve assisted CAL FIRE before,” Folsom said, referring to the Soberanes Fire in 2016 when CSUMB supported the efforts of 5,000 firefighters and support crew. “We’re partnered with first responders in a way that’s special.”