Firefighters and Camps, Inside CDCR Video

Ironwood Fire Chief on Palisades wildfire efforts

January 22, 2025

Richard Selph, Fire Chief from Ironwood State Prison, discusses efforts to save lives and structures at the Palisades wildfire in Los Angeles.

Selph is part of the 21-member CDCR strike team of staff fire captains, firefighters, and chiefs.

“Since we’ve been involved at this incident, we’ve been at this house several times for multiple hot spots,” Selph said.

Watch the video (story continues below):

“(This) structure hasn’t burned so we’ve been really focused on that structure and around this burned structure.”
Richard Selph, Fire Chief
Ironwood State Prison

While many structures were destroyed, one was still standing.

“(This) structure hasn’t burned so we’ve been really focused on that structure and around this burned structure,” he said. “(We are trying) to mitigate any hotspots in any wind changes to keep that structure intact.”

Saving all creatures great and small

A koi pond also survived the fires.

“We’ve spent a couple day coming up here making sure the koi are still alive in the pond,” Selph explained.

They also cleared debris from the pond, helping ensure the fish would survive.

“The homeowner, I’m sure, will appreciate we spent the time to make sure the fish stayed alive (while they are away),” he said.

Around the back of the home, several hotspots kept flaring up, requiring the staff firefighters to frequently check the area. Even the home’s fire suppression system couldn’t keep up with the flames.

“The residence did have a whole fire suppression set-up, however, with the intensity of the fire, even that wasn’t able to save the structure,” Selph said.

Creosote-treated wood, used as outbuilding foundations, also contributed to the spread.

“This whole area has been inundated with creosote (soaked) railroad ties or logs,” he explained. “They used a lot of (those materials) in the construction efforts out here in a lot of the design and building. Unfortunately, that type of construction maintains a fire, maintains heat for several days. … The heat source can stay there for several days (or even) weeks.”

To get into some of the tighter spaces, the firefighters have had to rely in ingenuity and some old-fashioned methods.

“Sometimes (we) just get a bucket of water from the pool to get to some of these areas (and) hotspots,” he explained.

Video by Richard Tan, TV specialist
Story by Don Chaddock, Inside CDCR editor
Office of Public and Employee Communications