The Lilac Fire started December 7 and ravaged San Diego’s rural North County until containment on December 21. At 7:30 pm on December 7, Manager George Mc Nulty of El Camino Rental delivered three donated light towers to the San Luis Rey Downs horse training stables located in Bonsall, CA, near where the fire started. With all power out, the towers were used to illuminate large areas where the horses were let loose and free to run due to the stables burning. With great effort from hundreds of volunteers, over 400 of these prized, thoroughbred horses were rescued and relocated to the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club.

El Camino Rental also donated two water trucks to Cal Fire for use in fighting the wildfire. Cal Fire used these 2,000 gallon trucks to supply and transport water to the firefighters. Cal Fire reported that one of these trucks saved three firefighters from certain death. They reported, "As we were overcome by flames, three of us jumped in the truck, turned all six sprayers on and took off. We couldn’t see two feet in front of us, but thankfully the road was straight."

The fire destroyed 157 structures and damaged over 64 more. Thankfully, no lives were lost.

As is usually the case in the rental industry, rental companies step up when their equipment can help those in our communities who are in need.