Clark County sending 34 personnel, equipment to Davis Fire

By Noble Brigham Las Vegas Review-Journal

2 weeks ago

Firefighters depart to the Davis Fire from the Clark County Fire Department training center in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. A 34-person strike team from the Clark County Fire Department and three other local fire departments was deployed to Washoe County to assist with efforts to fight the Davis Fire near Reno. (Rachel Aston/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @rookie__rae

Firefighters prepare to depart to the Davis Fire from the Clark County Fire Department training center in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. A 34-person strike team from the Clark County Fire Department and three other local fire departments was deployed to Washoe County to assist with efforts to fight the Davis Fire near Reno. (Rachel Aston/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @rookie__rae

The Davis Fire continues to burn in the mountains south of Reno on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. (Jason Bean/Reno Gazette Journal)

Clark County Fire Captain Matt Vanbuskirk addresses media at the Clark County Fire Department training center in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. A 34-person strike team from the Clark County Fire Department and three other local fire departments was deployed to Washoe County to assist with efforts to fight the Davis Fire near Reno. (Rachel Aston/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @rookie__rae

A 34-person strike team from the Clark County Fire Department and three other local fire departments in Southern Nevada is being deployed to Washoe County to assist with efforts to fight the Davis Fire near Reno, the county announced Wednesday in a news release.

Crews from all over Nevada have been fighting the Davis Fire — now about 31 percent contained — since it broke out Saturday afternoon. As of Tuesday evening, it covered more than 5,600 acres, or almost 9 square miles.

Clark County’s Fire Department is sending four engines and a total of 18 personnel, including a mechanic and battalion chief. Las Vegas, Henderson and North Las Vegas departments also are sending personnel.

The request for assistance came from the Nevada Division of Emergency Management and was coordinated by Clark County’s Office of Emergency Management, the release said.

At the fire department’s training center Wednesday morning, fire personnel prepared for the trip and expressed an eagerness to help.

“This is what we live for,” said Clark County Fire Captain Matt Vanbuskirk.

“It’ll be 24-hour days,” he added. “We’ll be living out of the fire station, running calls, getting rest when we can.”

North Las Vegas Fire Captain Brian Kynaston said everyone is excited to help.

“We’re allowing them to get rested and see their families,” he said of the firefighters local personnel will be relieving.

Firefighters will be deployed for about two weeks, said Clark County Fire Chief John Steinbeck.

“They need additional resources,” said Steinbeck. “They’re exhausted. There’s many homes in danger.”

Contact Noble Brigham at nbrigham@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BrighamNoble on X. Review-Journal digital content producer Tony Garcia contributed to this report.