BEAUMONT, Calif. — Firefighters on the Apple Fire impacting both Riverside and San Bernardino Counties are fighting two battles at once: stopping the massive fire and preventing the spread of COVID-19.

COVID-19 is a huge concern inside fire camps where firefighters stay between shifts. As of Wednesday, two Apple Fire camps have been established. The camps are essentially small cities that include sleeping areas, a business area, and a large kitchen that provides all assigned personnel three meals per day.

"Typically fire camps are easy places for germs to spread," said Lisa Cox, Fire Information Officer for the San Bernardino National Forrest.

The California Conservation Corps is responsible for keeping the camps clean. In a normal year, they empty trash and unload food, but this year their focus has shifted to sanitizing every touchable surface. The crews are constantly patrolling the camps with the goal of maintaining cleanliness.

“They are going around every hour and they are wiping down the handles. Its been really helpful,” said Cox.

Firefighters have been asked to wear masks throughout camp, use hand sanitizer which can be found throughout, and wash their hands constantly at portable hand-washing stations.

There are also QR codes posted where firefighters can get necessary forms helping limit face-to-face interactions.

The Apple fire could continue for weeks and firefighters from all over the state will continue to rotate in and out. A COVID-19 outbreak taking firefighters off the front lines could be devastating for firefighting efforts. Cox explained any firefighter who thinks they may have the coronavirus will immediately be taken out of the fight.

"One of our main rules is if you start to feel symptoms, you notify your supervisor and you self-isolate," she said.