CAL FIRE San Luis Obispo Unit

CAL FIRE San Luis Obispo Unit Proudly providing all-hazard emergency response and consolidated fire protection for San Luis Obispo County, Pismo Beach, Avila Beach, Cayucos, and Los Osos.

Today’s Brava Fire in Pismo Beach burned approximately 9.5 acres in steep terrain behind Mattie Road. Pismo residents ma...
08/31/2026

Today’s Brava Fire in Pismo Beach burned approximately 9.5 acres in steep terrain behind Mattie Road. Pismo residents may remember a similar fire in this area recently. Fires like this are a strong reminder of how quickly a grass fire can spread and race toward ridge lines.

This incident also highlighted the incredible work firefighters do every day. Imagine starting at the bottom of a steep hillside with more than 60 pounds of gear, hiking straight up, and dragging hose line with you. Our firefighters take pride in tackling tough assignments like this without hesitation to help keep our communities safe.

At the same time, pilots were making precision drops, chief officers were making critical decisions on the fireline, and dispatchers were answering 911 calls and coordinating the resources needed to support the response. Hand crews, dozer operators, and overhead personnel all played an important role in bringing order to a dynamic incident.

CAL FIRE’s objective is to contain all initial attack fires to 10 acres or less. Today’s fire: 9.5 acres. Well done to everyone involved!

This afternoon, crews responded to two roadside vegetation fires along Highway 1 near the California Men’s Colony and ac...
08/30/2026

This afternoon, crews responded to two roadside vegetation fires along Highway 1 near the California Men’s Colony and across from the Gilardi gun range.

Firefighters made quick work of both fires, which burned under 2 acres in grass and caused no reported damage. However, the incident highlighted a serious safety concern: our Air Attack aircraft spotted a private drone flying in the area.

When drones are flown near wildfires, firefighting aircraft may be forced to stop operations because of the risk of a midair collision. That means air tankers and helicopters cannot safely make drops when they may be needed most.

Aircraft are an important tool for slowing a fire’s rate of spread and reducing its intensity, giving firefighters on the ground a better opportunity to safely contain it.

DO NOT FLY DRONES NEAR FIRES. EVER.

Flying a drone near a wildfire can ground some of our most effective firefighting resources and put pilots and firefighters at unnecessary risk.

Please help us share this message. If you see someone operating a drone near an active fire, notify law enforcement or fire officials.

If you fly, we can’t.

Congratulations to Fire Apparatus Engineer Daniel Castillo and Fire Apparatus Engineer Trent Franklin, who graduated fro...
08/28/2026

Congratulations to Fire Apparatus Engineer Daniel Castillo and Fire Apparatus Engineer Trent Franklin, who graduated from the Company Officer Academy in Ione today!

We’re proud to welcome both of you to the San Luis Obispo Unit and look forward to working alongside you as you continue your careers and take on new opportunities within the department.

Congratulations on this well-earned achievement!

This Saturday, we will gather to honor the life and service of retired Battalion Chief Richard Smithen, a longtime membe...
08/26/2026

This Saturday, we will gather to honor the life and service of retired Battalion Chief Richard Smithen, a longtime member of the fire service and one of our own.

Chief Smithen dedicated 35 years to the fire service, including 30 years with the San Luis Obispo Unit, serving at Headquarters, Los Robles, and Parkhill before later promoting to Battalion Chief in the Fresno-Kings Unit.

His commitment to service began even earlier as a United States Navy veteran, serving from 1965 to 1969 as an Aviation Electronics Technician at Naval Air Station Lemoore. After retiring from CDF in 1997, he continued serving his community as Safety Chief with the San Miguel Fire Department.

Chief Smithen took great pride in his fire service career and remained closely connected to the CDF family throughout retirement, attending retiree gatherings and staying in touch with the people he served alongside.

Family, friends, and members of the fire service are invited to join us in honoring Chief Smithen:

Memorial Service
Saturday, August 29, 2026
9:30 AM
San Miguel District Cemetery
9405 Cemetery Road
San Miguel, CA 93451

Celebration of Life
11:00 AM
Cornerstone Community Church
9685 Morro Rd.
Atascadero, CA 93422

It will be an honor to stand with his family, friends, and fellow firefighters as we remember his life, his service, and the legacy he leaves behind.

Rest in peace, Chief Smithen. Your service will not be forgotten.

For those who would like to send a card or message of condolence to the family:

Jo Smithen
P.O. Box 481
San Miguel, CA 93451

Congratulations to our Company Officer Academy 26-10 graduates!Pictured from left to right are Rafael Medina, Chief Ambe...
08/22/2026

Congratulations to our Company Officer Academy 26-10 graduates!

Pictured from left to right are Rafael Medina, Chief Amber Henderson, and Jose Arias.

We are proud to welcome Fire Apparatus Engineers Medina and Arias to the CAL FIRE San Luis Obispo Unit. Their hard work, commitment, and continued professional development represent the future of CAL FIRE and the next generation of leaders in our department.

Welcome to SLU, and congratulations on this accomplishment!

Forty-eight years ago today, on August 18, 1978, Airco 53 departed Paso Robles to support firefighters on a grass fire n...
08/18/2026

Forty-eight years ago today, on August 18, 1978, Airco 53 departed Paso Robles to support firefighters on a grass fire near Simmler in eastern San Luis Obispo County. While supporting crews on the fireground, the aircraft crashed, killing all three aboard: CDF Fire Captain Paul Belveal, Pilot Joe Holstine, and Firefighter Scott Sanford.

Today, members of the San Luis Obispo Unit gathered at the Airco 53 memorial at the Paso Robles Air Attack Base to reflect on their service, place flowers in their honor, and ensure their sacrifice is never forgotten.

Their legacy remains a meaningful part of our Unit’s history and a reminder of those who served before us.

Fire Captain Paul Belveal.
Pilot Joe Holstine.
Firefighter Scott Sanford.

Today we remember them and honor their service.

08/17/2026

Each year, members of the CAL FIRE San Luis Obispo Unit return to the Spanish Ranch Incident site for our annual staff ride — to remember, to learn, and to carry forward the fireline and life lessons left by those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
On August 15, 1979, Captain Ed Marty and Firefighters Scott Cox, Ron Lorant, and Steve Manley lost their lives on the Spanish Ranch Fire. The lessons learned from that tragedy helped lead to CAL FIRE requiring firefighters to carry fire shelters and train in their deployment.
Today, every shelter we carry and every deployment we practice is connected to the lessons paid for by those who came before us.
We honor their sacrifice by remembering their story, learning from it, and preparing the next generation of firefighters.
We will remember Spanish Ranch.

Today marks an important milestone for the San Luis Obispo County Fire Department and the Nipomo community!Beginning tod...
08/11/2026

Today marks an important milestone for the San Luis Obispo County Fire Department and the Nipomo community!

Beginning today, Station 72 on the Nipomo Mesa has increased year-round staffing from two to three firefighters. The station will now be staffed with a Fire Captain, Fire Apparatus Engineer and Firefighter II, with at least one crew member serving as a paramedic each day to ensure Advanced Life Support care is always available.

On duty for this historic first day are Fire Captain Paramedic Ryan Gobler, Fire Apparatus Engineer Sam Secord and Firefighter II Jonathan Bartlett.

“This is a big step forward for Station 72 and the community we serve,” said Fire Captain Paramedic Ryan Gobler. “Having three firefighters on the engine gives us greater capability from the moment we arrive and allows our crews to operate more effectively and safely on fires, rescues and critical medical emergencies.”

Adding a third firefighter improves fireground operations, increases firefighter safety and provides a greater level of service on every emergency.

This long-awaited investment means both fire stations serving Nipomo are now staffed with three personnel and provide daily ALS capability.

We thank everyone who helped make this possible, especially the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors, for supporting increased staffing at our County Fire stations. Our goal is to continue bringing additional stations to this staffing standard as resources allow.

Congratulations, Station 72!

Five CAL FIRE San Luis Obispo Unit personnel are currently deployed to Washington State, assisting military hand crews s...
08/10/2026

Five CAL FIRE San Luis Obispo Unit personnel are currently deployed to Washington State, assisting military hand crews supporting ongoing wildland firefighting operations.

Matthew Sears, Javon Wright, Angel Molina, Ricky Juarez and Connor Bennett are providing training, guidance and fireline safety oversight to military personnel assigned to assist with wildfire suppression.

These assignments help ensure military crews are prepared to work safely and effectively alongside wildland firefighting resources during periods of increased fire activity.

We’re proud of our SLU personnel for sharing their experience and expertise while supporting the national wildfire response. Stay safe out there!

Address

6800 Lopez Drive
Arroyo Grande, CA
93420-4985

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