Strike Team Returns Home From Rim Fire

A strike team made up of firefighters from Lompoc, Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, Montecito, Carpinteria and Summerland returned home from the Rim Fire.

One engine company rolled into Fire Station 7 in Santa Barbara around 5 p.m. Tuesday.

They had spent several days fighting a fire in Kern County before being called to the Rim Fire.

Capt. Mathew Wilson used his phone camera to video some of the ride toward Yosemite. He could see Sequoya trees ablaze.

The strike team worked nights for nearly two weeks.

They washed the ash off their engine before heading home.

Some of the firefighters said they missed birthdays, and back-to-school-days with their children, as well as Labor Day weekend.

Now they can make up for lost time.

But they want to remind people that fire season is still in session.