Redding Fire & EMS officials say a tactic relatively new to the fire service, strike team and task force responses assigned to large scale incidents, was used in Bethel on Sunday. The intent is to not deplete one local area of its resources, so those from pre-determined and scattered communities are requested.

Prospect Volunteer Fire Department, 37 miles from Bethel, helped on scene and maintain operational readiness.  The nine hour blaze included more than 150 firefighters and more than 750,000 gallons of water. 

While Redding Fire & EMS was committed in Bethel, Easton and Long Hill Volunteer Fire companies were staffing the Redding Center fire station.