CALIFORNIA, USA — As wildfires burn across California, the California National Guard's wildland fire crews are assisting with response.
They're part of Cal Guard's Joint Task Force Rattlesnake, a team made up of more than 300 guard members working on wildfire prevention and mitigation. They also act as hand crews during fires.
"What they do is they work directly for CAL FIRE, reducing all the fuels out in the wildlands, so clearing brush, improving and ensuring roads have access and what that enables us to do is get to fires quicker," said Maj. Gen. Matthew P. Beevers, the Adjutant General for Cal Guard.
Task Force Rattlesnake crews are helping fight active wildfires, including the Shelly Fire in Siskiyou County, French Fire in Mariposa County and Royal Fire in Placer County.
Cal Guard also recently responded to the Basin Fire in Fresno County where a helicopter crew rescued a trapped and injured firefighter. The fire has burned through more than 14,000 acres and is 80% contained.
On the ground, the crews are trained by CAL FIRE.
"It's a lot of hard work, you spend a lot of time out in the hinterlands," said Beevers. "You've got to be extraordinarily physically fit, that is super hard work. It's really just your will and desire to serve the people of California and improve your life."
The members are strategically placed across the state, including Nevada City, organized into 14 hand crews.
"Monterey, down in the Central Valley, down in Southern California and of course up north where we have fire prone areas," Beevers said.
He says many go on to work for CAL FIRE.
"The guard gave these kids a job. CAL FIRE has now given 99 of those 327 a career and that's extraordinary," he said.
Joint Task Force Rattlesnake is headquartered in Yuba City. They are currently looking for more people to join their crews in various locations around the state. To learn more, click here.
WATCH MORE ON ABC10 | Royal Fire in Tahoe National Forest: 13 hikers missing in fire zone found
