CalFire Warns of Fire Danger This Year

   CalFire says that fire activity is already up over 45 % this springs due to lack of rain. They are stressing that this is an indecator of a potientially higher fire threat this summer.

    Since the beginning of the year, CalFire has responded to over 680 wildfires, which is more than 200 over the average for this time of year.

   "Our firefighters have responded to an increased number of wildfires due to the very little rainfall we have received over the past few months," said Chief Ken Pimlott, CalFire Director.

   "Last week in Southern California we increased our staffing and moved our airtankers to their bases, which was needed as we say several large wildfires over the weekend."

   In late March, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) conducted this years's next-to-last snow survey and the low levels have CalFire concerned about the impact to this year's fire season.

   This final survey found that snowpack is just 52 % of average statewide, according to the Departent of water Resources.

   Due to the low rainfall levels across the state from January to April, this year is lidely to go down as one of the driest ever.

   The lack of winter rains has resulted in dry conditions across the state leading to a number of sunseasonably large wildfires that have already threatened people, homes and the state's watershed.

   Over the past few months CalFire crews responded to an increased number of large wildfires including the 296 acre Becks Fire in Lake County, the River Fire in Inyo County which grew to 406 acres and most recently, the 311 acre Jurpua Fire in Riverside County.

    "In many other areas of the state we are in the process of training our seasonal firefighters and monitoring weather conditions closely to determine our staffing levels," said Chief Pimlott.

    "While we are busy transitioning into fire season, this is the time we want residents to begin preparing their homes for fire season by creating 100' defensible space."

   CalFire is asking Californians to prepare for wildfires by taking these actions:

   * Maintain 100 ' of Defensible Space

   *  Remove all dead plants grass, and weeds from within 30' of your home

   *  Trim trees 6 ' from the ground

   *  Remove all leaves, pine needles and debris from roofs

   *  Create an Evacuation Plan in case of a wildfire  

   For more tips on preparing for a wildfire visit: www.ReadyFor Wildfire.org or www.fire.ca.gov