22 North Texas firefighters helping battle wildfire in California

Texas task force III, comprised of firefighters from 5 North Texas departments, continues to help battle a wildfire in Northern California.

The group arrived at the so-called Carr Fire on August 10th, Lewisville Captain Brandon Woodward is one of the men leading the task force. He joins 21 other firefighters representing departments in Frisco, Dallas, Little Elm and Lake Cities.

The fire they are battling is now the 7th largest wildfire in California’s history. Consuming over 230,000 acres and destroying more than 1,000 residences. Captain Woodward spoke with FOX 4 by phone Saturday afternoon about their effort. 

“We're all together working as a task force,” he said. “We work 24 full hours on the line and then they give us 24 hours off.”

Captain Woodward says there have been no injuries and everyone is in good health.

“We have a really steep and rough piece of ground that we've been working on helping them secure that,” he said. "Probably be here another 5 to 6 days. What we're doing right now is patrolling and mopping up the line and ensurring that it remains secure."

Captain Woodward says the Texans have been extremely well received.

"This is the first time in Texas history where our firefighters have been out here working alongside folks from the Northwest and California. It's been phenomenal,” he said. “This is a unique opportunity that will most likely open the door in the future for more North Texas firefighters to cross state lines and provide fire assistance in the future. We've built some real strong relationships here. Californians have been helping us for years with various major disasters in Texas and this is the first real time we've had to pay that back to them. We hope the folks in North Texas are proud in the effort we've put in representing them."

The Carr wildfire has killed 14 people, including 6 firefighters. At news time, it is currently 78% contained.