Culver City Observer -

Culver City sent Engine 41 with four firefighters to help fight the Thomas Fire in Ventura County this week. The engine was part of a strike team composed for units from Culver City, Santa Monica and Beverly Hill Fire Departments.

As of Thursday morning the Culver City strike team was involved in structure protection in the City of Ventura.

According to Culver City Battalion Chief Rob Kohlhepp an additional call came in Wednesday for the Skirball fire burning in Bel Air. Culver City sent a four-man engine (engine 42) along with a Battalion Chief to the scene. Chief Kohlhepp expects the Skirball strike team to be released Thursday afternoon.

Engine 41 is expected to remain at the Thomas fire until at least this weekend and possibly into the middle of next week.

The chief pointed out that Culver City remains fully protected. Events like this trigger what he called implementing the "Red Flag Staff. This includes extra staffing to augment the regular staff.

CAPTIONS

TOP PHOTO

Photo Courtesy NASA. www.nasa.gov

NASA Satellite picture showing the plumes of smoke generated by the major fires.

Culver City Firefighters Engine 41 in route to the #Thomasfire in Ventura County with strike team XLA1075A snapped this photo of the fire which has consumed approximately 100,000 acres as of press time.

Photo Courtesy Culver City Firefighters Association Instagram page http://www.culvercityfirefighters.org

SECOND PHOTO

Smoke rising over the westside as pictured on the 405 freeway from Culver City. The northbound lanes of the 405 freeway were closed most of the day Wednesday, while the southbound lanes reopened earlier in the day.

Observer Staff Photo

THIRD PHOTO

NASA Satellite picture showing the plumes of smoke generated by the major fires.

Photo Courtesy NASA. http://www.nasa.gov