The UC Davis Fire Department’s Brush Truck 34 returned to campus on Monday, September 1, due to a mechanical issue, according to Fire Chief Nate Hartinger. Four staff members had been deployed with the truck to assist in fighting the Pickett Fire in Napa County.
A captain from the department, serving as a strike team leader trainee, remains deployed at the fire response.
Cal Fire reported that as of Tuesday morning, the Pickett Fire was 90% contained and continued to cover approximately 6,800 acres. The fire is located near Calistoga in Napa County.
The original deployment began on Sunday morning, August 24. Four UC Davis Fire Department staff members—a captain, an engineer, and two firefighters—departed with Brush Truck 34. Another captain joined as a strike team leader trainee alongside personnel from the Davis, Winters, Yocha Dehe, and Amador County fire departments.
As of their last assignment before returning to campus, the UC Davis crew was tasked with “mop up” operations in areas previously burned by the fire to prevent rekindling.
Chief Hartinger said: “The UC Davis Fire Department personnel aboard Brush Truck 34 returned to campus Monday (Sept. 1) because of a mechanical issue with the truck.” He added: “Four staff members had been deployed aboard the truck to the Pickett Fire in Napa County.”
Cal Fire stated: “the blaze was 90% contained and still covered roughly the same area — 6,800 acres.”
