Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians donates fire engine to help growing fire department
Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians announced their donation of a fire engine to the Cahuilla Band of Indians from Anza, California on Wednesday in Santa Ynez Valley.
The used fire engine donated by the Chumash Indians has an estimated value of $130,000.
Leadership members from Cahuilla Band of Indians from Anza, Califonia visited the Chumash reservation in Santa Ynez in September to pick up their new vehicle.
The Chumash Fire Department originally purchased the fire engine in 2007 for $350,000.
The Type 3 engine holds 500 gallons of water and has compiled 100,000 miles during the past 12 years of fighting fires throughout the U.S.
The Cahuilla Fire Department has battled fires in Riverside County including the 2018 Cranston Fire that charred more than 13,000 acres.
Both the Chumash Fire Department and the Cahuilla Fire Department have an agreement with the Bureau of Indian Affairs to respond to fires throughout the U.S.
The Chumash Fire Department was established in 2006 as a hand crew and became and engine crew in 2007 with the purchase of the Type 3 truck. 
The department currently has six full time employees and up to 10 seasonal employees and two engines in its fleet.
In 2017 alone, the Chumash Fire Department was ordered to more than 100 fires in 10 states. 
Daniel Salgado, Tribal Chairman for the Cahuilla Band of Indians said, “This gift will help us preserve life so we can continue carrying on these traditional values and someday return the blessing or carry it forward to the next people in need.”
KEYT 2019
