STRIKE TEAM XOR1421A awaiting assignment in the Sand Fire (GGFD photo).

Firefighters from the Garden Grove-Huntington Beach-Westminster area have been mobilized for strike teams to battle the Sand Fire in Los Angeles County.

According to Capt. Thanh Nguyen of the Garden Grove Fire Department, two engine companies from the GGFD were dispatched Sunday afternoon. The first strike team is comprised of fire agencies from throughout Orange County. The second engine is assigned to a California Office of Emergency Services strike team with firefighters from throughout the county.

Also, the GGFD has called up more staff to man reserve engines remaining locally to make sure fire and paramedic service for Garden Grove is maintained.

The Orange County Fire Authority, who serves Westminster as well as other cities in the county, has sent over 50 firefighters. The OCFA effort includes two strike teams, a bulldozer and an aerial unit.

The blaze, centered near Santa Clarita in Sand Canyon, has burned more than 30,000 acres and destroyed 18 homes in the area by Sunday afternoon. The northbound Antelope Valley (14) Freeway was closed for a time from the Golden State (5) Freeway.