Firefighters off to battle Yosemite blaze

BY COLBY FRAZIER
DAILY SOUND STAFF WRITER

Nineteen Santa Barbara County firefighters, five brush trucks and a strike team leader were dispatched Saturday to the Telegraph Fire burning near Yosemite National Park. The event marked the 10th time this year that local fire crews have provided aid for out-of-county fires.

Eight other local firefighters were sent to a number of fires burning in Monterey, Siskiyou and Humboldt Counties. An additional 12 firefighters and two bulldozer operators remain assigned to the Gap Fire.
To date, county fire crews have responded to 46 vegetation fires within the county, and the worst of fire season may still be on the horizon.
Fire officials reminded residents yesterday that state law requires 100 feet of defensible space be created around homes in rural areas.
Of the hundreds of homes that are destroyed by wildfires each year, Fire Capt. Eli Iskow said 80 percent could be saved if the owners had created defensible space.