VIDEO: Trauma and tragedy surround Garden Valley firefighters as the Country Fire burns in El Dorado County. But, while the fire caused the trauma, the tragedy came when they learned their tight-knit group of firefighters would be dropping by 50% due to budget cuts.
The Country Fire brought hundreds of first responders into the area, and among the first to respond was a crew from Garden Valley Fire Protection District. While battling the Country Fire, two firefighters skirted a deadly situation when their engine became engulfed in flames. The traumatic incident torched the engine and left two Garden Valley firefighters with relatively minor injuries.
“To be honest, that’s the best $300,000 that the fire department’s ever spent considering it saved their lives,” said Fire Chief Clive Savacool.