About 500 firefighters are expected to come to the area today, many of them already weary after battling other fires in the region.

About 350 firefighters and 60 pieces of fire equipment battled the flames.

It is about nine firefighters on the night before the biggest fire they've ever fought.

About 80 firefighters from 20 units eventually arrived after word was received that residents were trapped inside.

For example, nearby Vista used to have about 45 firefighters and now has 23.

The blaze drew a large response, with about 130 firefighters and 30 fire vehicles at the scene.

The agency's counseling unit now sees about 500 firefighters a month, or 10 times the number before September 2001.

About 300 to 500 firefighters are likely to retire as a result of their illnesses, health officials have said.

They also said that the department is short about 400 firefighters.

All this raises a question: what does a volunteer fire department in a city with about 11,000 paid firefighters and officers do, anyway?