RELEASE DATE: April 4, 2012 

 
Sacramento – Today, the California State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection adopted policy that will allow the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) to help prevent the continued spread of the Goldspotted Oak Borer (GSOB).  The policy will allow CAL FIRE to enter into agreements with both public and private landowners and governmental agencies, including the federal government, for the purpose of controlling or eradicating forest insects, specifically the GSOB, or plant diseases that damage or threaten destruction to timber or forest growth.
 
The GSOB was first identified in 2002 in San Diego County and thus far does not appear to have expanded its occupation elsewhere in the state. The insect is causing mortality in healthy, mature coast live oak, canyon live oak, and California black oak trees. Believed to have been transported into the San Diego County area on firewood, the GSOB continues to spread within the county causing significant devastation to the area.
 
"This invasive pest is particularly important, as our native oaks are much less resistant to it than those in Arizona, its point of origin”, said George Gentry, Executive Officer to the Board.  To date, the GSOB is responsible for killing 80,000 trees throughout San Diego County, and if they continue to spread beyond the county, mortality rates will increase.  “The implications for financial loss are quite high”, said Gentry.
 
There are several recommended prevention and suppression steps that can be taken to help reduce the spread of such invasive insects that include: 

• Firewood and cut wood should not be moved outside the county.
• Covering cut oak with plastic tarpaulins can contain insects.
• Removing infested trees, and properly managing the woods disposal, can reduce localized infestation and help minimize the spread.
• Mulching, soil aerations, and fertilizing may increase oak health and delay tree mortality.

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
 
RELEASE DATE: March 6, 2012

California Arbor Week March 7-14, 2012
 

Sacramento – Trees are an essential part of California’s climate and are vital to improving the state’s air quality and conserving water. To help educate Californians on the value that trees provide to building successful, healthy cities and neighborhoods, California is celebrating March 7-14, 2012 as California Arbor Week.
 
CAL FIRE is partnering with California ReLeaf to encourage cities, nature groups, schools, and youth organizations to celebrate California Arbor Week by planting trees in their communities. California ReLeaf is an alliance of community-based groups, individuals, businesses, and government agencies working to protect the environment by planting and caring for trees and the state’s urban and community forests.
 
“Trees offer so many more benefits than what we see,” said CAL FIRE Deputy Director Bill Snyder.  “Their importance to the environment, climate, economy and the overall well-being of California is critical.”
 
Research shows that trees clear pollution from the air, catch significant amounts of rainwater, add to property values, cut energy use, increase commercial activity, reduce stress, improve neighborhood safety and enhance recreation opportunities.
 
“Trees make California’s cities and towns better. It’s that simple,” said Joe Liszewski, Executive Director for California ReLeaf. “Everyone can do their part to plant and care for trees, ensuring that they are a resource long into the future.”
 
The goals of Arbor Week include educating Californians about trees, encouraging tree planting, teaching elementary school children the environmental, social, and economic benefits of trees, and protecting the state’s valuable natural resources.
 
As part of the department’s mission, CAL FIRE is charged with protecting California’s forests by maintaining the sustainability of the state’s natural resources including both urban and wildland forests. CAL FIRE is encouraging everyone to be a part of California Arbor Week by planting a tree. It’s important that you carefully plan before you plant a tree to ensure that your tree is properly placed to avoid growing into powerlines and buildings. Get more planting tips on the CAL FIRE website at www.fire.ca.gov.
 
For a full listing of events scheduled to celebrate California Arbor Week across the state visit www.arborweek.org/events. 

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.

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.