Politics & Government

State, County Officials Ask RB, 4S Ranch Residents to Prepare for Fire Season

Due to the drier than usual winter and spring, the weather and some of the wind events firefighters see now are more like what they would expect to see in the fall, not May.

As peak fire season gets in gear, state and county fire and emergency officials reminded San Diego County residents to start preparing now for what could be a dangerous summer and fall.

“We’ve had twice the number of wildland fires that we had last year,” said San Diego County Fire Authority Chief Thom Porter, also the CAL FIRE Unit Chief, at the Sheriff’s Helitac headquarters at Gillespie Field Thursday

Porter said CAL FIRE started peak staffing two weeks to a month early due to the dry conditions.

Find out what's happening in Rancho Bernardo-4s Ranchwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Dale Hutchinson, CAL FIRE Southern Region Chief, said they have had 550 more fires across the state this year compared to a normal year. Altogether that amounts to approximately 1,100 wildfires statewide.

Due to the drier than usual winter and spring, the weather and some of the wind events firefighters see now  are more like what they would expect to see in the fall, not in May, he said.

Find out what's happening in Rancho Bernardo-4s Ranchwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“It takes all of us working together to be successful (in preventing and fighting wildfires), and that includes the public,” Hutchinson said. “This week is Wildfire Awareness Week and it is important for the community to be prepared.”

Undersheriff Ed Prendergast said the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and local CAL FIRE have an “unprecedented” and “unique” collaboration when it comes to fighting fires. He described how the Sheriff’s helicopters are deployed with CAL FIRE on board to help coordinate water drops and bring crews to inaccessible areas to fight the fire.

“The Sheriff’s Department and CAL FIRE are working hand in hand to keep our residents safe,” Prendergast said.

The undersheriff said the Sheriff’s Department is making sure all deputies are prepared to respond around the clock.

“We can’t do it alone; the real question is, ‘Are you ready?’” Prendergast said addressing the public.

How can residents prepare?

  • Maintain a minimum of 100 feet of defensible space around your property.
  • Mow fields early in the morning while there is still some moisture in the air and not in the hottest part of the day. Grass fires can be sparked by equipment striking a rock or other metal.
  • If making modifications to your home, consider using fire-resistant materials. 
  • Create an emergency plan for your family.
  • If asked to evacuate by fire officials, go.

For more tips visit, www.ReadyForWildfire.org and www.ReadySanDiego.org.

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