Firefighters watch, wait

SAN BERNARDINO - About 600 firefighters spent Thanksgiving at the National Orange Show Events Center on Thursday ready to battle any evidence of wildfire in the Inland region of Southern California.
The mass staging of firefighters and equipment was in response to dire forecasts of 60-70 mph Santa Ana winds and critical dryness in the mountains.

"We've got big TVs and good food today, actually real good food today," said Capt. Kevin Kamnikar of the Salinas Rural Fire District.

Fire crews dined on a traditional meal that included turkey, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie, while they watched the USC-Arizona State football game inside the spacious Citrus building on the Orange Show grounds.

Several firefighters cheered when the Sun Devils scored a touchdown to tie the game. The Trojans won, 44-24.

Firefighters have waited for several days in case a new Inland wildfire erupts during the predicted high winds today.

"At a moment's notice, we'll take off," said Richard Lamy, a member of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Zuni Hotshots from Northeastern New Mexico.

Lamy's team arrived Sunday in San Bernardino.

Waiting to see if another blaze ignites is just business as usual for firefighters like Engineer Scott Freels of the Santa Clara County's unit of the state Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Freels has worked at more wildfires this year than he can name. "It's been a long summer," he said.

San Bernardino County Fire spokeswoman Tracey Martinez said the fire crews would likely stay through the weekend.

About 90 engine companies were staged and ready Thursday at the National Orange Show grounds in anticipation of the explosive weather formula of hot Santa Ana winds combined with a red flag warning.