Former fire captain explains unique challenges of battling LA's wildfires

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. - Nick Perricelli, a retired CAL Fire Captain with 37 years of experience, now lives in Volusia County, Florida, but his former engine is currently battling wildfires in Los Angeles.

He expressed a desire to be there, saying, "I know that we could have done something. But at the same time, with conditions like that, it’s hard to do anything other than life safety."

Wildfire behavior and emergency response

Perricelli explained that wildfires are highly unpredictable, capable of switching direction, jumping roads, and sparking new fires from embers carried by the wind.

"Especially with winds like that, it’s totally unpredictable," he said. Unlike hurricanes, which offer days of notice, wildfires often give only minutes for evacuation, leaving little time to prepare.

Firefighting Tactics and Water Supply Challenges

Wildland firefighters use tools like bulldozers, hand axes, and shovels to dig firebreaks and remove vegetation, rather than relying on fire engines and hoses.

Perricelli also addressed concerns about dry fire hydrants, noting that CAL Fire crews typically set up drafting stations at ponds, lakes, or rivers to obtain reliable water sources. He emphasized that with historic wildfires, the priority is life safety, and it can take a long time to bring the fire under control.

"You can’t slow it down," Perricelli said. "You just let it do what it’s going to do."

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