Police in Southern California are urgently seeking the public’s assistance in locating two individuals who brazenly stole firefighting equipment amidst the ongoing battle against fierce winds and devastating wildfires in the region.
The theft occurred in Rancho Cucamonga, a city in San Bernardino County situated about 40 miles east of Los Angeles. In the early hours of Friday, two unidentified men targeted a fire engine belonging to the U.S. Forest Service. The firefighters, part of a strike team responding to a high wind event, had parked a San Bernardino National Forest Engine behind a Hilton hotel.
Surveillance footage captured the culprits arriving in a red Jeep Wrangler, parking next to the fire engine, and proceeding to forcefully open three locked compartments. They made off with essential firefighting equipment before swiftly leaving the scene. Authorities are now searching for the two suspects, who were caught on camera during the theft.
The stolen equipment is crucial for firefighting efforts, particularly as Southern California grapples with multiple wildfires exacerbated by relentless winds. The thieves were last seen driving north from the hotel in their distinctive red Jeep Wrangler, equipped with a black soft top and tan seats. The vehicle bore a California license plate with the first digit being 6.
Law enforcement officials urge anyone with information regarding the theft or the suspects to reach out to USFS Law Enforcement Officer Tyler Smith via email at tyler.smith2@usda.gov or contact the Federal Interagency Communications Center at 909-383-5653.
As the region battles these formidable blazes, new wildfires have erupted in San Diego County due to the relentless Santa Ana winds sweeping across Southern California. The fires have prompted evacuations, school closures, and power outages, adding to the challenges faced by firefighting crews.
Overnight reports from northern San Diego County detailed three small brush fires, including the Lilac Fire which quickly spread across 85 acres. CalFire officials stated that the blaze, which was 35% contained by 5 p.m. local time, caused damage to two structures and displaced 86 individuals. The Pala Fire, covering 17 acres near Pala Mesa, was fully contained by Tuesday night, with evacuation orders subsequently lifted. Similarly, the Riverview Fire, scorching just one acre of land, was swiftly contained by firefighters.
While investigations into the causes of these wildfires are ongoing, the situation has been exacerbated by hurricane-force winds that battered Southern California. The National Weather Service reported a wind gust of 102 mph in the San Diego mountains around 10 p.m. on Monday, underscoring the extreme weather conditions fueling the fires.
The theft of firefighting equipment amid the chaos of wildfires underscores the challenges faced by first responders and the critical need for public cooperation in identifying those responsible. As authorities continue to combat multiple blazes in the region, the stolen equipment represents a setback in their efforts to protect lives and property.
In the face of such devastating wildfires and unpredictable weather conditions, the community’s support
