Firefighting Staff Increases For Fire Season

Sacramento — Following recent warmer temperatures and drying conditions, Cal Fire will increase its staffing for fire season.

Starting Monday, June 13th, Cal Fire will be transitioning into summer fire season in most parts of northern California, including Tuolumne and Calaveras counties.

Over the past month, Cal Fire has been hiring and training seasonal firefighters to increase its full-time firefighters and will now staff most of the department’s seasonal fire stations around the clock.

While the above average rainfall has led to a lower fire risk the past month, it has also led to an abundance of grass and brush. Despite the unusually wet and extended spring, temperatures have already begun to increase and all the grass and brush has begun to dry out enough to raise the risk for wildfires.

With fire season now officially underway, Cal Fire is asking homeowners to ensure that they are prepared for wildfires and that every home have 100 feet of defensible space.

Written by tina.falco@mlode.com