Dry Conditions Require Caution for Memorial Day Weekend

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Dry Conditions Require Caution for Memorial Day Weekend

Significant Fire Increase Has CAL FIRE Officials Concerned

Sacramento – Memorial Day Weekend is often the kick-off for summer vacations and outdoor activities.

However, CAL FIRE is urging caution this holiday weekend due to the increasing fire danger throughout
California.

“Recent fire activity including a 7,000 acre fire just over the border in Nevada, really serves as a reminder,
that the conditions are ripe for wildfires,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, director of CAL FIRE. “CAL FIRE
crews have already responded to over twice as many fires this year compared to last year at the same time.”

The lack of rainfall across California has set the stage for an increased potential of major wildfires.
Coupled with this weekend’s increase in outdoor activities, firefighters will be on high alert. CAL FIRE is
asking Californians and visitors to the state to be extra vigilant while recreating in the outdoors.
CAL FIRE would like everyone to remember these important steps this holiday:
Camping:

Obtain necessary permits needed for campfires
Clear away grass, leaves and other debris within a 10-foot perimeter of any campfire
Have a responsible person in attendance at all times
Ensure all campfires are completely extinguished before leaving
When barbequing, never leave the grill unattended

Wildfires are not the only danger posed by the outdoors; drownings also dramatically increase during the
Memorial Day weekend. In California, drowning is the leading cause of death among children under 14,
and every year CAL FIRE responds to water rescues across the state, many of which tragically claim the
lives of both adults and children.

In the Water:

Always wear a life jacket!
Children should always be supervised by a responsible adult
Never swim alone
Drinking and swimming is just as dangerous and drinking and driving.

California Fire News 2011

- Follow @CalFireNews

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How fires get their names

Every year in California thousands of wildfires start throughout the state. In most cases, the dispatch center sending the initial resources to a wildland fire will designate a name for the fire, but the first on scene engine or fire official can also name the incident. Fires are usually named for the area in which they start – a geographical location, local landmark, street, lake, mountain, peak, etc. Quickly naming the fire provides responding fire resources with an additional locater, and allows fire officials to track and prioritize incidents by name. For example during the Southern California Fire Siege of 2003, the largest wildland fire in California history, the Cedar Fire in San Diego County, was named after the Cedar Creek Falls area where it started. The destructive Old Fire, which burned during the same time period in San Bernardino County, was named after the road along which it started - Old Waterman Canyon Road.

CAL FIRE is the largest fire department in California and the second largest fire department in the United States. CDF - CAL FIRE Firefighters answer the call more than 300,000 times a year. CAL FIRE Firefighters make up the fire department for 30 of our 58 counties in California and more than 100 local communities. We serve as the incident command during many of California’s most serious disasters. CAL FIRE Firefighters respond to many various types and forms of calls ranging from structural fires, to auto accidents, to earthquakes, to floods, to the spilling of hazardous materials, to every conceivable disaster; CAL FIRE answer's the calls. CAL FIRE is the largest fire department in California and the second largest fire department in the United States . CAL FIRE firefighters protect 33 million acres of State Responsibility Area (SRA). We have over 4,000 members within CAL FIRE and CAL FIRE is associated with the California Professional Firefighters (CPF) and the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF).

CFN - CALIFORNIA FIRE NEWS - CAL FIRE NEWS

Thursday, May 24, 2012