LA’s First Full-Time Wildfire Crew Takes on Brush Fires Before They Start
Los Angeles has launched its first full-time paid wildland hand crew to tackle brush fires and strengthen emergency response. Known as Crew 4, the team includes firefighters like Alec Derpetrossian and Randy Magaña, who are already working to clear vegetation in high-risk areas. Their efforts aim to prevent destructive blazes like the Palisades Fire that struck earlier this year.
Crew 4 was formed after five weeks of intense training, with members graduating in June 2025. The team consists of over 20 wildland fire technicians, three foremen from the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), and a superintendent. Daily training keeps their skills sharp for both prevention work and active fire response.
The crew’s main tasks include removing invasive trees and thick brush before fires start. By clearing vegetation, they reduce the risk of embers spreading flames quickly—a major concern in areas with dense growth and homeless encampments. During active fires, they dig containment lines and clear brush to help extinguish the blaze. Firefighter foreman Paul Wingate called the crew a 'huge benefit' to the LAFD. Their work is especially critical after January 2025, when 12 fires, including the Palisades Fire, broke out across Los Angeles. Currently, Derpetrossian and Magaña are cutting down trees in the Sepulveda Basin, near the Los Angeles River, to lower fire risks in the area.
Crew 4’s ongoing efforts focus on reducing fire hazards through vegetation management and rapid response. Their presence adds a dedicated resource to Los Angeles’ fire prevention strategy. The team’s work is expected to play a key role in protecting the city from future large-scale blazes.
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