Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Red Flag Warnings As CAL FIRE Stresses Preparedness Due to Lack of Rain

Fire Activity up Over 45 Percent
An early increase in fire activity has CAL FIRE looking at the lack of rainfall as an indicator of a potentially higher fire threat this summer. Since the beginning of the year, CAL FIRE has responded to Nearly 700 wildfires, which is more than 200 over the average for this time of year.

Following an extremely dry winter, CAL FIRE has increased its staffing in Southern California for fire season.

“Our firefighters have responded to an increased number of wildfires due to the very little rainfall we have received over the past few months, Last week in Southern California we increased our staffing and moved our air tankers to their bases, which was needed as we saw several large wildfires over the weekend.” - said Chief Ken Pimlott, CAL FIRE director.

In late March, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) conducted this year’s next-to-last snow survey and the low levels have CAL FIRE concerned about the impact to this year’s fire season. This final survey found that snowpack is just 52 percent of average statewide, according to the Department of Water Resources. Due to the low rainfall levels across the state from January to April, this year is likely to go down as one of the driest ever.

The lack of winter rains has resulted in dry low fuel moisture 
conditions across the state leading to a number of unseasonably large wildfires that have already threatened people, homes and the state’s watershed. Over the past few months CAL FIRE crews responded to an increased number of large wildfires including the 296 acre Becks Fire in Lake County, the River Fire in Inyo County which grew to 406 acres and most recently, the 311 acre Jurupa Fire in Riverside County.

“In many other areas of the state we are in the process of training our seasonal firefighters and monitoring weather conditions closely to determine our staffing levels,”“While we are busy transitioning into fire season, this is the time we want residents to begin preparing their homes for fire season by creating 100 feet of Defensible Space.” -  said Chief Pimlott.

Homeowners Prepare for wildfires by taking these actions:

  • Maintain 100 feet of Defensible Space
  • Remove all dead plants, grass, and weeds from within 30 feet of your home
  • Trim trees 6 feet from the ground
  • Remove all leaves, pine needles and debris from roofs
  • Enclose all openings to home especially openings such roof and overhang vents with plywood or triple fine screened.
  • Purchase and maintain Personal Protective Equipment(PPE) including helmet, goggles and gloves. Nomex or cotton clothing, boots
  • Maintain water supply and hose lines, shovels and other tools in plain sight.
  • Prepare Maintain a "Go" bag, have vehicle pointed out ready to bug out.
  • Create an Evacuation Plan in case of a wildfire
  • In case of a wildfire decide to fight or flee early. Be decisive in your actions.

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****REMINDER**** Every fire has the ability to be catastrophic. The wildland fire management environment has profoundly changed. Growing numbers of communities, across the nation, are experiencing longer fire seasons; more frequent, bigger, and more severe, fires are a real threat. Be careful with all campfires and equipment.

"I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts, and beer." --Abraham Lincoln

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