Gilroy – Looking at the golden hillsides one can tell that fire season has begun. But the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection made it official Monday when the Santa Clara Unit was activated at full force.
The opening of fire season varies throughout the state based upon fuel loads and weather conditions. Southern California began fire season June 5. Seasonal CDF firefighters returned for refresher training courses May 15.
“The state has ample planes, fire retardant, fire engines and trained personnel to fight fires this season. We are fully prepared and ready to go,” said CDF Director Ruben Grijalva.
Current law now requires homes to maintain a 30-foot area of irrigated landscape around each building, as well as a 70-foot fuel reduction zone where grasses and weeds must be mowed four-inches or less.
Tree branches should be at least six feet off the ground and 10 feet from a chimney. Undeveloped lots in the hillsides must have a 15-foot firebreak mowed less than four-inches high around the perimeter of the property. Fire officials remind residents to remove needles, leaves and debris from rooftops and gutters and caution residents to mow lawns during the cooler part of the day to prevent sparks from catching grass on fire.
