[SatNews] The area was extremely difficult to reach, with narrow and steep roads, and traditional communications were non-existent.
Click graphic on left to visit the C-COM website.
On June 6th, 2013, a massive forest fire started in San Diego County, and eventually burned over 7,000 acres before containment 9 days later.
149 structures were destroyed during the ‘Chariot Fire’, but thankfully, due to the heroic efforts of the 146 personnel who put out the blaze, not one life was lost.
Fires in California during the summer months are a common occurrence. Since May 1st there have been 78 recorded forest fires. That’s an average of one fire every day. See the report here.
During these major fires, at times, first responders are asked to go into areas of limited communication coverage, and risk their lives to save people and property.
During the Chariot Fire, broadcasters tried to make their way into an area to report on the containment progress of the firefighters and update authorities on the incident. The area was extremely difficult to reach, with narrow and steep roads, and traditional communications were non-existent. Fire Vehicles were too large to make it through the brush. Bulky broadcast trucks with enormous antennas couldn’t drive up and down the trails. Cell-bonded solutions, though light-weight and compact, failed on the scene due to congestion and limited cell coverage.
