This past January was anything but ordinary for Porta Kleen’s Special Operations Group, which has spent months deployed on the West Coast. Compared to a typical January, the wildfire landscape in Southern California saw a 135% increase in the number of wildfires and an astonishing 75,712% increase in the number of acres burned. These figures highlight just how extreme the conditions were, setting the stage for an unrelenting demand for wildfire response efforts.
Division Manager Sean Masten said the region experienced an intense fire season largely due to a cycle of heavy vegetation growth in prior years followed by unusually dry conditions. “It was just nonstop,” Masten said, noting that fire camps remained active every month from September through January—an unprecedented stretch of continuous operations.
The region faced a series of 14 destructive wildfires from January 7 to 31, 2025, affecting Los Angeles and San Diego counties. Factors such as drought conditions, low humidity, and hurricane-force Santa Ana winds, with gusts reaching up to 100 miles per hour, exacerbated the situation.
Despite these extreme conditions, the SOG team met the challenge head-on. All available Type 1 trailers—housing up to 84 firefighters daily who were mostly on 12-hour shifts—were deployed in January, ensuring crews had essential rest and recovery space. Smaller Type 3 trailers also played a role, offering work and living areas for key personnel.
The logistical and operational demands were high, but the team’s rapid response and problem-solving kept operations running smoothly. “There were plenty of challenges—maintenance, personnel, and repairs—but the team handled every issue without a single unit coming off the clock,” Masten said. “It’s been a real success for the team as a whole.”
Looking ahead, wildfire risks remain elevated through at least May, well beyond the typical fire season. “Basically, we've got an increased risk of fires all the way until the standard season for increased risk of fires begins,” Masten said. While February has seen a temporary lull, agencies are already preparing for what could be another record-setting year.
As cleanup efforts continue in fire-ravaged areas, the industry remains on high alert, ready to respond to whatever challenges the coming months may bring.