NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — Before the record droughts and wildfires, Newport Beach was an ocean-side city having little to do with inland conflagrations.

Now, it’s equipped to take on the coming dangers of another fire season with its own wild land fire engine, complete with four-wheel drive and the clearance to go off-road.

What You Need To Know

  • Newport Beach introduced a new fire engine that is designed to face wildfires in off-road conditions

  • The engine was ordered in 2019 but took two years to construct due to COVID-19 pandemic delays

  • The fire engine has four-wheel drive and can move while spraying water, allowing it to chase fast spreading flames

  • Newport Beach firefighters are currently training on the system before it can be deployed

“When I came to Newport Beach 22 years ago, I never dreamed we’d get a wildland fire engine,” said Newport Beach Fire Chief Jeff Boyles. “This isn’t new technology. It’s different for us, but when a little beach town gets into inland wildfires, it speaks volumes about the scale of the problem.”

The fire engine, built by Pierce Manufacturing, is equipped with a shorter wheelbase and four-wheel drive, allowing for better maneuverability among the chaparral and scorched landscape of a wildfire disaster.

It can also douse flames on the move, with a water pump that can focus down smoldering trees as the driver keeps it in motion. But it doesn’t sacrifice the things that larger engines have. It still can carry 500 gallons of water, a hose, ladders and other equipment.

The Saturday unveiling began in 2019 with nearly two years of pandemic-delayed construction.

Fire departments around the state have been acquiring fire engines with four-wheel drive and off-road capabilities for years. Newport Beach has purchased one to help other departments when needed. But it will also be deployed within city limits as needed.

While fire engines are crucial for fighting fires, Boyles said it’s important that residents don’t forget about fire prevention. As wildfires become more prevalent, with Californians still living in ever-growing fire hazard zones, it’s all the more important to make preparations. That means clearing brush away and trimming or removing trees. It can even mean having a bag packed and ready to go if news of a fire breaks and identifying which freeways are easiest to access or closest. 

The Newport Beach wildland fire engine is just another tool and sign of the cooperation that has evolved among first responders. While there has always been a working relationship, Boyles said the borders between fire departments have softened. Costa Mesa just announced a $2.5 million grant, which it will use to rebuild a key training facility. Newport Beach may use it, while Costa Mesa may call on their fire engine.

Large swaths of the entire county may call, too. About 40% of Orange County is highly vulnerable to wildfires, necessitating annual landscape services to clear public lands of brush and weeds.

The limits for where it could go, however, stretch much further.

“It could go all the way to the Mexican border, all the way to the Oregon border. We’ve been all the way down and all the way up to,” Boyles said.