Marcus Hernandez is new Morgan Hill Fire chief, Cal Fire Santa Clara Unit chief

Marcus Hernandez, who helped lead Cal Fire’s wildfire technology research, has been named Morgan Hill’s fire chief and the head of Cal Fire’s Santa Clara unit.

Hernandez succeeds Chief Baraka Carter, who retired in January. Former Chief Jake Hess, who oversaw the attack on 2020’s SCU Lightning Complex fire, one of the largest wildfires in state history, has served as interim fire chief.