The UC Davis Fire Department announced today (Sept. 6) it is sending five staff members to assist with the fight against the Boone Fire near Coalinga.

Capt. Paul Rush will serve as a strike team leader trainee, and four others from the department will serve aboard Brush Truck 34: Capt. Derek Carthy; Engineer Michael Cullen; and Firefighters Johnita Cradit and Chris Hay.

The blaze started Tuesday, and is now 17,000 acres with 5% containment, Cal Fire said this afternoon.