About Baja California

Before becoming a state in 1953, the area was known as the North Territory of Baja California. It has an area of 70,113 km² (27,071 sq mi), or 3.57% of the land mass of Mexico and comprises the northern half of the Baja California peninsula, north of the 28th parallel. The state is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean, on the east by Sonora, the U.S. State of Arizona, and the Gulf of California (also known as the Sea of Cortez), and on the south by Baja California Sur. Its northern limit is the U.S. state of California.

The state has a population of 2,844,469 (2005 census), and estimated 3,165,776 (June 2009) much more than the sparsely populated Baja California Sur to the south, and similar to San Diego County, California on its north. Over 75% of the population lives in the capital city, Mexicali, in Ensenada, or in Tijuana. Other important cities include San Felipe, Rosarito and Tecate.

Baja California is where it all began, our visit to Tecate in 1999 started us on our path. We began working with the city of Tecate and the Bomberos from around the state. We have been working to bring agencies representing millions of citizens in the State together for more collaborative training and operations. Where borders were distinct and rarely crossed there is now more mutual assistance and development of resources.

In 2009, we began working with the group Bomberos De San Diego, a group of San Diego Fire firefighters that work in the area doing similar work. We partnered to bring training to Tecate initially and eventually worked in Tijuana Bomberos and were able to organize regional training at both Tecate and Tijuana inviting bomberos from around the area. Today, being one of the largest Cities in Mexico, we regularly rely on these Bomberos to assist us in our training.

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Mission to Tecate Day 1

on 26 April 2007. Posted in Baja California

Our day began at 0300 Friday morning and by 0500 we were packed and on the road. Awesome Weather and good music made the 16 hour trip safe and successful. Some small challenges awaited us and of course fuel prices that shocked us every time we filled up.

Around 1300 we were passing Eureka having just left the Oregon mountains when Scott, driving his shift noticed that a tire on the trailer blew out and was able to safely pull us off to the road. Thanks to U-Haul and we were on our way in around an hour.

Around 2000 hrs we Arrived in Sacramento at the home of Steve and Patty Marks who are on Active Military duty. Steve in Iraq and Patty recovering from an injury in Virginia. We have stayed with the Marks’ every year for the past 7 years and although not here to visit, they were not about to change that. We love you Patty and Steve Stay safe and healthy. Almost 800 miles today and a little over 550 tomorrow will bring us close to the border. We enter Mexico On Sunday morning. Check us out tomorrow for our latest adventure.

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