Recent rains and cooler temperatures across the region have lowered the threat of wildfires, allowing CalFire’s Santa Clara Unit to transition out of fire season as of Dec. 8, 2014 at 8 a.m., according to a press release from CalFire. The transition takes place in Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa and the west side of Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties.
Unit Chief Derek Witmer noted his thanks to “the public and our local government fire partners for assisting us in achieving our goal of keeping 90 percent of our fires 10 acres or less this fire season.”
As drought conditions continue to have a hold on California, CalFire is maintaining staffing that meets the current threat, and will be strategically moving resources to areas that remain at a higher threat level, according to the press release. CalFire will also continue to monitor weather conditions closely and still has the ability to increase staffing should the weather conditions change or if there is a need to support wildfires in other areas of the state.
The 2014 fire season has been an extremely active year, authorities said. Statewide, CalFire and firefighters from many local agencies battled more than 5,500 wildfires within the State Responsibility Area. These fires burned nearly 91,000 acres. This number is over 1,000 more wildfires than normal at this time of year. In the Santa Clara Unit, CalFire responded to 164 wildfires that charred 666 acres.
Residents are urged to continue to take precautions outdoors in order to prevent sparking a wildfire, according to the press release. A leading cause of wildfires this time of year is from escaped agricultural burning. Before you burn, ensure it’s a permissive burn day by contacting the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.
During burning, make sure piles of agricultural debris are no larger than established restrictions, and provide a 10 foot clearance down to bare mineral soil around the burn pile, authorities caution. Make sure a responsible adult is in attendance at all times with a water source and a shovel.
For more ways to prevent sparking a wildfire, visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org.
