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.
11x17_ember_poster_lowres

The Butte County Fire Chief’s Association Reminds Residents to
Change Your Clocks, Change Your Batteries

 
Butte County – This Sunday, November 6, 2012, daylight savings comes to and end and Butte County Fire Departments are reminding residents to replace the batteries in all smoke alarms as well as their carbon monoxide (CO) alarm when they change their clocks.
 
“Statistics show that working smoke alarms increase the chance of surviving a fire by 50 percent,” states Chief Morris, President of the Butte County Fire Chief’s Association.  “Taking the time to change the batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms twice a year is an important life saving task.”   
 
 Follow these important tips on smoke and CO alarms:
 
·         Test smoke alarms once a month.
·         Replace batteries in all smoke alarms and CO alarms twice a year.
·         Don’t “borrow” or remove batteries from smoke & CO alarms even temporarily.
·         Regularly vacuum or dust smoke & CO alarms to keep them working properly.
·         Replace smoke alarms every 10 years.
·         Don’t paint over smoke or CO alarms.
·         Practice family fire drills so everyone knows what to do if the smoke alarm goes off.

• Test smoke alarms once a month.
• Replace batteries in all smoke alarms and CO alarms twice a year.
• Don’t “borrow” or remove batteries from smoke & CO alarms even temporarily.
• Regularly vacuum or dust smoke & CO alarms to keep them working properly.
• Replace smoke alarms every 10 years.
• Don’t paint over smoke or CO alarms.
• Practice family fire drills so everyone knows what to do if the smoke alarm goes off.

 
Find more information visit the CAL FIRE Web site at www.fire.ca.gov.

CAL FIRE Smoke Alarm Webpage   Smoke Alarm Safety Video
 
CAL FIRE Carbon Monoxide Alarm Webpage

CAL FIRE/Butte County to Hold Control Burn – Training Exercise

 
Butte County– CAL FIRE/Butte County Fire Department will hold a control burn and training exercise on Wednesday, November 2, 2011 in the area of the H line in the Cohasset Area from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.  While the location of the control burn is remote, smoke may be visible in the surrounding areas throughout the day.  Weather conditions will be monitored and the burn may be postponed if burning conditions are found to be unfavorable.
 
This control burn will continue the project started last week to thin the understory growth in existing fuel breaks to enhance the existing fuel reduction project.