Yreka, Cali. — CalFire, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection agency, said in a press release Monday that they will be transitioning into fire season in the coming weeks in Siskiyou, Butte, Tehama, Glenn, Shasta among other counties.
According to the release CalFire has already transitioned into fire season across the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento region on May 5th.
Chief Keith Larkin, CalFire’s Northern Region Chief, said they have responded to twice as many fires since the beginning of the year “We have been increasing our staffing levels since January as drought conditions have continued to leave our region in an elevated threat for wildfires. As we are staffed up, we continue to ask the public to ensure they too are prepared for this years fire season.”
According to the press release CalFire has responded to nearly 1,300 wildfires in California, more than twice as many fires as average. CalFire officials ask that everyone be prepared for this fire season and that every home has defensible space.
Here are some tips from CalFire to help prepare your home:
Maintain 100 feet of defensible space
Clear all pine needles and leaves from
your yard, roof and rain gutters
Trim branches six feet from the ground
Landscape with fire resistant/drought tolerant plants
Residents and visitors are also warned to take steps to prevent wildfires by remembering that One Less
Spark, means One Less Wildfire:
Use trimming, mowing and powered equipment outdoors before 10 am
Check to ensure burning outdoors is allowed in your area. CAL FIRE has banned outdoor burning in many areas or has required a burn permit
Completely extinguish all campfires
Make sure trailer chains and other parts of your vehicle are not dragging on the road
For more information from CalFire on how you can prepare for fire season, check out ReadyForWildfire.org.
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