Peninsula Firefighters Gather in Belmont Hills for Skills Training

As drought conditions continue to have a strong hold on California, the Belmont Fire Department is hosting wildland fire training for firefighters in the Central Training Division (San Bruno to Belmont) during the month of May, to sharpen their wildland firefighting skills.  

The training is being held in various locations in the western hills area of Belmont.  No live fire is used during these training events.

Training such as this has become more important than ever, in light of the early start to the State wildland fire season, which typically begins in late June - early July.  However, this year the season was declared on May 5th.  This training helps to ensure the firefighters are prepared for what could be an extremely busy fire season.  

In fact, this week firefighters from San Mateo County deployed to assist with the fires in San Diego County, as part of a State Office of Emergency Services Strike Team.

Here are some tips to help prepare your home:

• Maintain defensible space around buildings
• Clear all pine needles and leaves from your yard, roof and rain gutters.
• Trim branches six feet from the ground.
• Landscape with fire resistant/drought tolerant plants

For more information on preparing yourself and your property against wildfire, go to the San Mateo County Fire Safe Website at http://firesafesanmateo.org/