Publication Date September 21, 2016 | Los Angeles Times

Ventura County firefighter is killed while driving to Canyon fire at Vandenberg Air Force Base

United States
Firefighters battle a wildfire at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Photo Linda So
Firefighters battle a wildfire at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Photo Linda So

A Ventura County firefighter was killed and another was injured early Wednesday in a rollover crash near Lompoc as the pair were hauling water to the Canyon fire at Vandenberg Air Force Base. 

The firefighters were assigned to a water tender by the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services and headed to the 12,353-acre wildfire about 6:20 a.m., when the rollover crash occurred on the westbound California 246, said Capt. Mike Lindbery, spokesman for the Ventura County Fire Department...

The firefighters were among more than 1,000 personnel assigned to the massive blaze.

On Tuesday, Air Force officials said fire crews were making progress on the wildfire, but officials are concerned that increased winds later this week could rekindle flames.

The blaze has remained active along the northern portion, but cooler temperatures allowed firefighters to build lines around the fire, Air Force officials said in a statement Wednesday. The fire is 50% contained