Forest Fire Drill

Sonora, CA — It may look like a real fire to Stanislaus National Forest visitors on Friday, but it is really just a preparedness exercise for firefighters.

Forest Service officials say firefighters are preparing both physically and mentally to battle whatever wildland fires the summer brings.  From 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Forest Road 3N24 near Deer Creek a drill will be conducted on five acres.  Called an Initial Attack Wildland Fire Response, it will give crews practice in constructing a fire line, use of fire tools, deploying hoses, and testing communications with dispatch.

Responders will not be using lights, sirens or fire in this exercise, which has been named the “Deer Fire”. According to forest officials three engines, one water tender, one patrol, one helicopter crew, one hotshot crew and one 10-person module will respond to the incident.