“In priority is saving a human life, even at the risk of one’s own,” said a paramedic and firefighter from the Sacramento Fire Department.

To discuss what is happening in California and what to do in emergency situations, we spoke with Sacramento Fire Department firefighter and paramedic Oleg Klepach.

– Oleg, we are closely following what is happening in Los Angeles, and it seems the most discussed topic right now is why the fire has reached such proportions. How could this happen?

– I will share my personal opinion on many things because there are political factors involved in this issue. I am a firefighter paramedic, and I’ve been working in California for 20 years, with even more experience as a paramedic, having previously worked in emergency medical services. I have been involved in large-scale fire operations about 25 times, averaging 2–3 deployments per year in some years.

I don’t believe this situation is connected to global warming, as some experts claim. Fires in California are not a new phenomenon. It all depends on the weather. Seasonal Santa Ana winds often become a cause of wildfires.

– It is said that the current fires were caused by arson.

– We cannot draw conclusions at this time, but statistics show that 70–80% of fires are linked to human factors: intentional arson, mistakes, or accidents. The remaining 20% are caused by natural phenomena, such as lightning. The investigation is ongoing, so there is no one to blame yet. From the news, I’ve heard that the Los Angeles police have arrested a suspect in a potential arson case that caused the “Kenneth” fire. (This fire occurred in another part of LA.)

– Does the fire have a specific name?

– We name every fire based on where it originated: it could be a city, district, street, intersection, or landmark. The fire currently raging in California is called the Pacific Palisades fire.

– Why did the fire spread so quickly?

– California has a dry climate, and we lack water storage facilities for such emergencies. When the winds began in Los Angeles, there were about four fires that started simultaneously. Sparks moved quickly from one location to another, igniting new homes, trees, and shrubs.

When the Los Angeles Fire Department arrived at the scene, I heard that approximately 40 fire engines and 150–160 specialists were deployed, though I cannot confirm this yet. That is a very small number for such a massive disaster.

If we are talking specifically about the Pacific Palisades area, it is a place where wealthy people live, including celebrities, with very expensive homes averaging around $5 million. The fire spread so quickly that it was practically impossible to contain.

– Does this indicate a lack of preparedness by the fire department?

– The California fire service is highly prepared, but without water, it’s like sending soldiers to the frontlines without ammunition. A standard fire truck can pump 500 gallons of water per minute, which is two tons of water. Twenty fire trucks mean 80 tons per minute, placing a huge strain on the system, especially if fires are happening throughout the city. Part of the responsibility lies with the water management department and local authorities.

– What about the videos showing fires being extinguished using sandbags or other unconventional methods?

– The blogger who filmed that laughed, saying, “Look at what they’re doing.” But they didn’t understand that the firefighters were targeting a specific area, possibly near a transformer that supplied power to pumps. This was strategic firefighting, critical to the operation. Sometimes, with limited resources, we have to make tough choices: even if a couple of houses burn down, the priority is to extinguish critical infrastructure.

We follow a rule called “house triage.” If the owners don’t maintain their property, and it’s overgrown, that house becomes a fire hazard and a perfect target for the flames. Unfortunately, we cannot stop at every house like that, because if we do, ten other homes might burn down as a result. So, we sometimes have to sacrifice one house to save nine or ten others.

I deeply sympathize with these people, but often there’s no other option but to make difficult decisions where someone’s property will be lost. I recall a story from a Los Angeles fire chief who saved a mobile home park where low-income people lived, but allowed vacation homes owned by millionaires to burn down. He explained his reasoning like this: on one side of the lake were people whose entire lives were in their mobile homes, and on the other side were wealthy individuals who didn’t even live in their properties. His conscience was clear because he made the choice that helped those who needed it most.

– Does Los Angeles have enough personnel to fight fires?

– Los Angeles itself has over 100 fire stations and employs about 3,300 firefighters. However, around 100 of them were removed from duty because they didn’t have the proper COVID-19 vaccinations. This is a political issue, and I’d rather not talk about the fire chief of Los Angeles, Kristin Crowley, and her assistants. You can look up online what people think of her. Her priorities weren’t about hiring professionals but focused on employing women from the LGBTQ+ community. I have nothing against women or any community, but California’s liberal policies are partly to blame for the tragedy.

– I’ve heard that rescue vehicles couldn’t reach some houses.

– We have an automatic notification system where dispatchers call or send messages urging people to evacuate immediately. When the disaster escalated, people had very little time to leave the danger zone. The area has dense vegetation, trees, and steep terrain, making it difficult to navigate. The narrow roads were another challenge. Many residents abandoned their cars while fleeing, which blocked access for rescue vehicles. Bulldozers had to be called in, not to clear land but to remove abandoned cars so the fire service could reach the homes.

– How realistic is it to escape quickly if you’re at the epicenter of the disaster?

– Imagine a football field. The fire was moving at the speed of five football fields per minute. Now picture a person running on a track—how fast can they reach the end of the field? The recorded speed of the fire was 90 miles/h, carried by the wind. My two sisters live in Los Angeles; one of them had to evacuate as the wind tore off part of her roof. Just recently, my nephews and I were walking on that very roof, enjoying the view of the city and the New Year’s fireworks—it was perfectly intact at the time.

– Can firefighters use water from the ocean nearby?

– They can’t. Fire trucks would become “salted” and unusable. Fresh water is required. The reservoirs weren’t filled, and when 100 fire trucks connected to hydrants, the pumps couldn’t keep up with demand. There might also have been power outages. This is a significant issue, and in the future, someone will face serious accountability for it.

– Are there any predictions on when this will end?

– It’s hard to say. The fire’s spread needs to be stopped. As of January 10, 2025, 7,500 personnel are involved in the effort, including firefighters, police, and logistics teams. The Pacific Palisades fire, which caused the most damage, has burned 20,438 acres, with only 8% contained. On Monday, the weather is expected to change again, with winds picking up, leading to further fire spread. Firefighters won’t be going home anytime soon.

A minimum of 22 personnel from Sacramento have already been deployed, along with teams from other cities. We have a mutual aid system that can deploy 1,000 firefighters anywhere in California within an hour.

– How do you determine priority zones during large-scale wildfires?

– We divide the map into squares and develop plans for various scenarios. The first zone in the square must be cleared of people because everything there will burn within an hour. Zone 2 may take 3–5 hours, and so on. During evacuations, it’s crucial for people to know their routes in advance, check where shelters are located, and plan accordingly. The government and volunteers set up shelters, which could be hotels, schools, or stadiums.

– What should people take with them during an evacuation?

– You need to prepare an emergency bag with essential documents like IDs, passports, medical forms, vaccination records for yourself and your children, birth certificates, property deeds, and insurance for your home and car. Also, have cash on hand. Bring enough water for at least three days, canned food, and dry rations in case you get stuck in traffic. Medications and a personal first aid kit are also necessary.

And if local authorities tell you to evacuate, the best thing you can do is leave quickly because traffic jams will become a significant problem later.

– What role does the community play in firefighting and recovery?

– People can volunteer, donate clothing or food, and visit shelters to offer help.

– What about donating funds?

– If you want to donate money, make sure you know who you’re giving it to. Only donate to verified organizations. Don’t fall for scams. For example, if someone calls claiming to be a firefighter asking for money, remember that firefighters don’t make those kinds of calls.

– Will the Los Angeles fires reach our region, Sacramento?

– No. Los Angeles is a completely different ecosystem. They’re closer to the equator and have their critical fire weather from November to early January. Our critical fire season starts around May 1. When northern winds from Alaska dry the grass here, it becomes challenging to contain fires, but quick action is key.

In the city, we have a standard: response teams must arrive at any incident within seven minutes.

– How can the media support firefighting efforts?

– Share information about our work and educate people on how to avoid hindering firefighters. Remind them not to block hydrants, park on red lines, or ignore specialists’ requests. There are websites where fire zones are clearly outlined; this information is available to everyone.

– Are there special funds or programs to support firefighters and their families during and after large-scale wildfires?

– Yes, there are funds for this. Firefighters living in Los Angeles have also lost their homes.

– What is the most dangerous aspect of a fire, and what is the first aid you should provide yourself?

– First and foremost, get to fresh air. Every home should have a fire safety system. If the alarms go off, call 911 immediately. Every fire truck is equipped with the necessary tools, similar to an ambulance.

Never go back inside your home; that’s the firefighters’ job. If you have a small child, grab them and run to your neighbors—they can call for help.

Our top priority is saving lives. We’re willing to risk our own lives to save a person or an animal. That’s our job, and our families understand this.