WILDFIRES RAGING ACROSS WEST: CAL-FIRE CALLS CONDITIONS WORST ON RECORD 2.1K
Total Views: 34 By Miriam Raftery Photo: California Department of Forestry & Fire (CAL FIRE) June 24, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – As firefighters battle wildfires across four states, CAL FIRE officials have warned that in this fourth year of drought, 2015 has the worst fire conditions in record. As of today, CAL-FIRE is fighting seven major wildfires in our state. Speaking Monday at a kick-off for Wildfire Awareness Week in Pollock Pines, scene of last year’s devastating 97,717-acre King Fire, CAL FIRE Chief Ken Pimlott stated, “We’ll be reaching records for potential heat output for times of the year that would normally not be burning in those conditions.” The water shortage has left more vegetation including lawns dry and also means fire departments need to conserve water, too. Firefighters are doing more dry-mopping up of blazes and some departments are recycling water used in training exercises, according to an article in Reporting San Diego. Across the west, firefighters have been battling major blazes in the past week in soaring summer temperatures. In California, these include seven fires, notably the Washington Fire in Alpine County’s Humbolt-Toiyabe National Forest that has scorched 16,544 acres and is only 5% contained. View all. The Lake Fire in San Bernadino’s mountains north of San Diego has ravaged 18,878 acres and is 38% contained. A wildfire sparked by lightning in Oregon has charred thousands of acres south of Cave Junction on the Rogue-River Siskiyou National Forest, where hundreds of firefighters have been working to battle the blaze. In Washington state, a wildfire also caused by lightning smoldered for days in Olympic National Park before it was discovered; it has since spread into towering mountains and rugged terrain, drawing a federal firefighting response. Alaska is the scene of multiple massive fires that have forced evacuations in rural Eskimo villages, burned 12 square miles near Nenana and charred additional acreage near Fairbanks and Juneau. Firefighters in Alaska face special perils – one was bitten by a bear in Chugach National Park but fortunately suffered only minor injuries. Printer-friendly version
2.1K viewsCAL FIRE SUSPENDS OUTDOOR RESIDENTIAL BURNING 1.9K
Total Views: 31 June 3, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) — As drought conditions continue to increase fire danger in the region, CAL FIRE has suspended all burn permits for outdoor open residential burning within the State Responsibility Area of San Diego and Imperial Counties. This suspension takes effect June 1, 2015 and bans all residential outdoor burning of landscape debris including branches and leaves. “San Diego lives with the threat of wildfire year round and it is critical that the public do their part to be extra fire safe when outdoors” said Tony Mecham CAL FIRE San Diego Unit and County Fire Chief. “With record-setting drought conditions we must take every step possible to prevent new wildfires from starting,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, CAL FIRE director. “One Less Spark, means One Less Wildfire.” Similar to last year, CAL FIRE has already responded to significantly more wildfires than in an average. CAL FIRE is asking residents to ensure that they are prepared for wildfires including maintaining a minimum of 100 feet of Defensible Space around every home. Here are some tips to help prepare your home and property: Clear all dead or dying vegetation 100 feet around all structures. Landscape with fire resistant/drought tolerant plants Find alternative ways to dispose of landscape debris like chipping or hauling it to a biomass energy facility The department may issue restricted temporary burning permits if there is an essential reason due to public health, safety. Agriculture, land management, fire training, and other industrial-type burning may proceed if a CAL FIRE official inspects the burn site and issues a special permit. Campfires within organized campgrounds or on private property that are otherwise permitted will be allowed if the campfire is maintained in such a manner as to prevent its spread to the wildland. For additional information on preparing for and preventing wildfires visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org. Printer-friendly version
1.9K views“WILDFIRE AWARENESS WEEK” DECLARED IN CALIFORNIA FOR MAY 4 – 10 1.8K
Total Views: 40 CAL FIRE Encourages Wildfire Preparedness and Prevention May 8, 2014 (Sacramento) – Drought conditions have led to a significant increase in wildfire activity and to ensure Californians are ready, Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. has declared May 4-10, 2014 as “Wildfire Awareness Week”. CAL FIRE is reminding residents during Wildfire Awareness Week of the dangers posed by wildfires and the simple steps that should be followed to prepare for and prevent them. “Fire Season really never ended last year in many parts of California,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, CAL FIRE director. “We continue to have very dry conditions and experience unusually early fire behavior that is extreme for this time of year.” According to the state’s final snow survey on May 1, the statewide snowpack water content is only 18 percent of normal. Between January 1 and May 3, CAL FIRE has responded to over 1,200 wildfires that have charred nearly 2,700 acres. In an average year for the same time period, CAL FIRE would typically respond to fewer than 600 wildfires. During Wildfire Awareness Week, CAL FIRE is reminding Californians that when it comes to wildfires, remember “Ready, Set, Go!”. Being Ready for a wildfire starts by maintaining 100 feet of Defensible Space and hardening homes with fire resistant building materials. “With this year’s drought it is absolutely critical that residents be prepared for wildfires by ensuring they have 100 feet of Defensible Space around their homes,” said Chief Pimlott. “Most wildfires are preventable and we need residents and vacationers to be extra cautious outdoors because one less spark means one less wildfire.” Homeowners looking for additional information on how to prepare themselves, their families and their homes for wildfire can visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org. The site offers tips for residents to make their homes more resistant to wildfires and to ensure that their families are ready to evacuate early and safely when a wildfire strikes. Governor Brown has called on all Californians to reduce their water use by 20 percent and prevent water waste – visit SaveOurH2O.org to find out how everyone can do their part, and visit Drought.CA.Gov to learn more about how California is dealing with the effects of the drought. Printer-friendly version
1.8K viewsSTRONG WINDS PROMPT CAL FIRE CREWS TO HIGH ALERT 2.3K
Total Views: 36 Public Urged to be Cautious Outdoors Source: Cal Fire April 29, 2014 (Sacramento)– With gusty dry winds forecast for Southern California, CAL FIRE has increased its staffing and is urging the public to be extra cautious as fire danger heightens. The Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather Watch for many areas in Southern California starting Tuesday for high winds with gusts of 55 mph along with low humidity lasting through Thursday. “The drought has set the stage for a very dry and potentially dangerous fire season,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, CAL FIRE director. “Fire season never really ended last year in Southern California and these strong winds will only elevate the current fire risk.” Over the past several months, CAL FIRE has hired additional seasonal firefighters across the State and bolstered fire equipment staffing months earlier than normal. In advance of the latest wind event, CAL FIRE has increased its preparedness by staffing additional fire engines, bulldozers, fire crews, and aircraft. These state resources will be positioned strategically to allow for rapid response into communities and watershed areas that may be affected by a fast moving wildfire. Already this year, CAL FIRE has responded to over 1,100 wildfires that have charred over 2,500 acres. In an average year for the same time period, CAL FIRE would typically respond to 500 wildfires for just over 1,300 acres. “We have extra firefighters and equipment available to respond to new wildfires during this wind event,” said Chief Dale Hutchinson, CAL FIRE Southern Region chief. “While we are prepared, we are reminding residents to be extremely cautious while outdoors in order to prevent a wildfire. One less spark, means one less wildfire.” CAL FIRE asks Californians to remember ‘One Less Spark, One Less Wildfire’ and offers the following tips to prevent a wildfire: · Don’t mow or weed eat dry grass on windy days · Ensure campfires are allowed, and if so, be sure to extinguish them completely · Target shoot only in approved areas, use lead ammunition only, and never at metal targets · Be extra careful with all powered equipment outdoors including chainsaws, tractors and welders For more ways to help prevent a wildfire visit PreventWildfireCA.org and to prepare for wildfires visit ReadyForWildfire.org. Printer-friendly version
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