Police are asking for the public’s help to find two men they say stole firefighting equipment in Southern California as the region continues to grapple with intense winds and brutal wildfires.
The thieves targeted a fire engine with the U.S. Forest Service around 3 a.m. Friday in Rancho Cucamonga, a San Bernardino County city about 40 miles east of Los Angeles.
The Forest Service said that firefighters part of a strike team parked a San Bernardino National Forest Engine behind a Hilton hotel while responding to a high wind event.
Surveillance cameras captured two men in a red Jeep Wrangler pull alongside the engine, get out, and then “forcibly open” three locked compartments, taking essential fire equipment before driving off, the agency said.
Officials ask for public’s help in identifying suspects
The two were last seen driving north of the hotel in a red, two-door Jeep Wrangler with a black soft top and tan seats. The Jeep had a California license plate with a first digit of 6.
Anyone with information is asked to contact USFS Law Enforcement Officer Tyler Smith by email at tyler.smith2@usda.gov, or contact the Federal Interagency Communications Center at 909-383-5653.
New wildfires break out in Southern California
As high Santa Ana winds continue to rage across Southern California, new wildfires broke out early Tuesday in San Diego County. The blazes have prompted evacuation orders, school closures and power shutoffs as Los Angeles County still reels from more strong winds and relentlessly dry conditions.
Three small brush fires were reported overnight in northern San Diego County including the Lilac Fire, which spread to 85 acres, according to CalFire. Officials said the blaze, at least 35% contained by 5 p.m. local time, damaged two structures and displaced 86 people.
The Pala Fire, which burned 17 acres north of the city of Pala Mesa, was 100% contained by Tuesday night and evacuation orders have since been lifted. Meanwhile the Riverview Fire burned just 1 acre of land before firefighters contained it.
Though the cause of all three wildfires remains under investigation they come after hurricane-force winds blew across Southern California overnight, according to the National Weather Service. The agency reported a 102-mph wind gust along the San Diego mountains at around 10 p.m. Monday.
Contributing: Christopher Cann
