Flagler County Land Management sends firefighter to battle California wildfires

Orlando has been deployed to the Lake Fire and the North Complex Fire.

By Julie Murphy
| 12:05 p.m. September 3, 2020

Firefighter Mike Orlando, in the white helmet, is fighting a wildfire in California. Image courtesy of the Flagler County government

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Flagler County Land Management firefighter Mike Orlando has spent the past 11 days in California to help contain two named wildfires – nearly 100,000 acres – that have been ravaging the state.

Orlando was first deployed north of Los Angeles at the 31,000-acre “Lake Fire” to ensure there were no hot spots that could reignite. As engine boss on that fire, he worked with two fellow Floridians from the State Park system.

“We worked with seven different agencies and private contractors to keep the fire in check,” he said.

Orlando and his crew were demobilized on Monday, Aug. 31, and reassigned to the “North Complex Fire” near Quincy, California, north of Sacramento that is made up of three separate fires totaling 62,200 acres.

“The North Complex Fire is currently only 40% contained, and has over 1,500 firefighters onsite with more on the way,” he said. “We will be working in the Plumas National Forest in Northern California.”

Orlando is on day 12 of a 21-day deployment.

“Our crew is humbled by these fires, and grateful to be given the opportunity to help our fellow firefighters across the country,” Orlando said.