Many fire crews have returned to their stations after spending nearly two weeks on the frontlines of the Gifford Fire, which burned through the Los Padres National Forest and threatened nearby homes.

Battalion Chief Anthony Clayburg with the City of Santa Maria Fire Department said the assignment was different from most because of how close the fire was to home.

“Our type three fire engine was sent with strike team 15 and 21 Charlie on the first day,” Clayburg said. “Obviously, early on in the incident is when you really need the most help and basically they did what they could until the help arrived.”

Clayburg’s team deployed a few days later. They were first sent to base camp in Santa Maria, then assigned to the Pine Canyon area and the Highway 166 corridor.

“We went out, we protecte

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