CAL FIRE Lassen-Modoc-Plumas Unit  • Lassen National Forest  
Bureau of Land Management •  Lassen Volcanic National Park

Abnormally warm and dry conditions through the fall and early winter months are creating fire dangers that are higher than normal for this time of year in northeast California. Officials at the Susanville Interagency Fire Center (SIFC) said residents and visitors should use extreme caution when undertaking any burning projects.
            “We have responded to several fires caused by burning projects that got out of control,” said Jim Hedges, a manager at SIFC.  “With tall, dry grass remaining from last summer, little moisture and no snow cover, there is potential for these fires to spread and threaten life and property.”  Hedges said the recent Caughlin Ranch Fire that burned more than two dozen structures in southwest Reno is a good illustration of the unusual and dangerous winter fire potential across the region.
            Officials said the lack of rain and snow has resulted in dead fuels, such as brush and trees, to be much drier than normal for January.  Additionally, the lack of snow is leaving these fuels exposed to the drying effects of sun and wind, and fire dangers continue to build.
            CAL FIRE has reported that statewide, snowpack water content averages 19 percent of normal.  River basin monitoring across northern California shows that precipitation has ranged from about 42 percent of average in the northern Great Basin region to 29 percent of average in the Carson River Basin.
            While burning permits are not yet required for outdoor burning projects in northeast California, fire officials said projects should be conducted only on days that are calm and certified by local air quality boards as permissible burn days.  Fires should always be supervised by an adult with access to firefighting tools including water and a shovel.
            City governments, including Susanville, have their own burning permit requirements. Residents must check on local regulations before undertaking burning projects.

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
 
RELEASE DATE: January 4, 2012

Dry Winter has CAL FIRE on Alert

Sacramento – Yesterday, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) conducted the year’s first snow survey which has CAL FIRE officials concerned about increased fire danger. The lack of precipitation across the state has led to one of the driest winters on record. According to DWR the statewide water content is at19 percent of normal.
 
Despite the fact that many areas of the state are experiencing cooler temperatures, the drier than normal conditions, coupled with wind events and low humidity, have frequently increased the fire danger over the past month. Last month CAL FIRE crews responded to an increased number of wildfires for a typical December.
 
“Fire activity in northern California during winter is very rare, where snow covered mountains and rain soaked hillsides typically keep the fire danger relatively low,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, CAL FIRE director. “We will be monitoring the rain levels over the next couple months, as it will be an indicator of the type of fire activity spring and summer will bring.”
 
In response to the above normal fire activity, CAL FIRE has been able to increase its staffing using its 4,700 permanent employees with the help of CAL FIRE inmate fire crews.  In many areas CAL FIRE has cancelled burn days or even banned debris burning. The public is asked to be extra cautious due to the dry conditions, especially on windy days.
 
For more fire safety tips visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org or www.fire.ca.gov.

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
 

Sacramento – In response to a strong wind event forecasted for California, CAL FIRE has increased its staffing and fire equipment throughout the state. High winds along with low humidity are expected over much of the state beginning this evening and continuing for the next few days. Winds in some areas are expected to have gusts in excess of 60 mph.  This weather event will significantly increase the wildfire threat in wind prone areas including the Sierras, the East Bay Hills, the Central Coast, and throughout Southern California. 
 

“The recent devastating wildland fire in Reno, Nevada is a reminder that fires can burn during the winter months even when temperatures are low,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, CAL FIRE director. “With the strong winds forecasted the fire danger will increase in many areas and we will have extra firefighters on duty so that we can respond to any new wildfires that may ignite.”

 
CAL FIRE along with other fire agencies has increased their preparedness by staffing additional state wildland fire engines, dozers, fire crews, and aircraft. These state resources will be positioned throughout the state to allow for rapid response into communities and watershed areas that may be affected by a fast moving wildfire. The increased staffing includes the county fire departments of Ventura, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Kern and Orange, who CAL FIRE contracts with for fire protection of State Responsibility Areas.
 
Residents are encouraged to exercise extreme caution when in or near the wildland or open areas to prevent a fire.  It is important that everyone monitor the weather and be on the lookout for fires. If fires occur in the area be prepared to follow all instructions of fire and law enforcement officials if an evacuation is ordered.  Winds of the forecasted velocity can cause conditions to change rapidly and the public is encouraged to review “Ready, Set, Go” procedures at www.ReadyForWildfire.org.  Each person and family should insure that they are “Set” for a potential emergency situation and prepared to activate the “Go” (evacuation) portion in a calm and safe manner.

 
For more ways to help prepare and prevent wildfires visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org or www.fire.ca.gov.

 Butte County –    Due to the high winds predicted for Wednesday and Thursday, CAL FIRE/Butte County Fire is reminding County residents that a “no burn” day has been issued by Butte County Air Quality Management District for both days.
 
In addition to complying with the no-burn regulations, it is important that any burn piles that may have been active in the past few days be checked for hot embers.   “The high, erratic winds and predicted low humidity’s can cause even old piles to reignite and quickly spread,” stated Division Chief Rob Cone.

Artwork Tells a New Fire Safety Story!

Wildfires have been the cause of many disasters in Butte County over the past few decades.  Residents find that the winter months are a perfect time to prepare for fire season because fire danger is lower.  But how do residents know what to do to be prepared?
 
“Art work is a wonderful way to convey how to create a fire safe home” says Calli-Jane Burch Executive Director of the Butte County Fire Safe Council.
 
A recent collaboration of the Fire Safe Council, local artist Dave Thompson, local marketing firm Cedar Creek Publishing and the Butte County Office of Emergency Management has produced a beautiful and simple way to learn about wildfire safety.
 

“The art tells a new story” Adds Calli-Jane, “You see in the center, a home that is vulnerable to the wildfires embers in places such as boxes left on a porch.  These embers are often the reason homes burn in wildfires.  You’ll also see items like wooden fences and debris piled in boats and truck beds as places that can cause a home to burn.  The art also demonstrates how fire can act as a ladder from the grass up to shrubs and then to trees to cause crown fires.  You’ll also find the yellow blossoms of Scotch broom drawn into the picture to reflect the extreme fire hazard this plant poses to homes due to its invasive nature.”

 
This new story adds to the very influential and successful art work that was released six years ago and featured in the “Homeowners Guide to Fire Safe Landscaping” brochure.  Developed locally in Butte County the brochure and its artwork was adopted around throughout California and used to create posters distributed through the Western U.S.  Locally over 30,000 brochures have been picked up by Butte County residents at community events and in fire safety packets distributed by the Fire Safe Council.
 
This new artwork reflects lessons learned from local wildfires in the past six years and presenting them in a hand drawn poster image.  You can access the new artwork at www.thenet411.net or request having a poster mailed to you at no cost by calling 530-877-0984.  The Fire Safe Council is a non-profit, community organization with a vision to create communities within a landscape that are resistant to the devastating impacts of wildland fires.
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