'Seasonal Fire Danger Is Upon Us': Con Fire Returns To Full Response

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — Contra Costa County Fire Protection District returned May 6 to full fire responses for all grass, vegetation and wildland fires across its jurisdiction because of the early arrival of seasonal fire weather.

Full responses consist of a minimum of five firefighting apparatus and crews. Since December 2021, such responses had been reduced to a single engine based on the decreased threat during the winter months.

"Con Fire is preparing for a challenging wildfire season and urges all residents to do the same to protect their families, homes and neighbors," Con Fire Spokesperson Steve Hill said Friday in a news release. "If not already done, now is the time to ensure properties meet or exceed all weed abatement and defensible space requirements. These are the single most important things owners can do to ensure firefighters have the time and ability to better defend their properties from wildfires that may occur."

In addition to increasing response levels for all grass, vegetation and wildland fires, Con Fire is also adjusting staffing levels, including two of its 16-person hand crew teams, allowing for seven-day-per-week availability.

A major improvement in wildfire readiness this year is the implementation of the Zonehaven digital evacuation planning and management tool by all Contra Costa County fire and law enforcement agencies, Hill said. The new tool streamlines planning, conduct and communication of evacuations for all disasters by creating discrete evacuation zones for every area of the county. Con Fire encourages residents to learn and note their zone for reference in an emergency by visiting cwsalerts.com/know-your-zone/.

"Seasonal fire danger is once again upon us, earlier than in recent years, and likely potentially more dangerous with recent fire activity and behaviors normally not seen until June or July," said Fire Chief Lewis Broschard, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District. "Forecasts are for above-normal significant wildland fire potential from May through August for the Bay Area. I urge all residents to prepare for the possibility of wildfires now by practicing weed abatement and defensible space creation and reviewing your own plans for evacuation, including learning your new evacuation zone."

“Recent County experience shows the resident who abates weeds, creates defensible space, and hardens structures to resist windblown embers today can truly make a difference," Con Fire Assistant Chief and Fire Marshal Chris Bachman said. "Owner preparation of properties is the single most effective thing that can be done to save homes and businesses from the threat of wildfires. Investment in fire safe preparation today can buy the time tomorrow for firefighters to arrive and protect structures from wildfire loss."

In 2021, more than 60 residents across Contra Costa County were displaced from their homes because of wind-driven wildfires burning into — and destroying — homes. In each of these cases, inadequate weed abatement and/or defensible space contributed to the damage or loss of structures, Con Fire officials said.

Conversely, in an early-season vegetation fire almost one year ago in Pittsburg, steps taken by homeowners to protect their properties contributed to what might otherwise have been the loss of multiple homes, officials said.

A significant contributor to early arrival of fire weather is season rain totals well below historically normal amounts. Recent late-season storms failed to provide rainfall sufficient to maintain safe fuel moisture content but did serve to support new grass and brush growth, according to Con Fire.

Vegetation fuels present across Con Fire's district are uncharacteristically dry for this point in the season. Moreover, long-range weather forecasts predict average to slightly above average temperatures with little chance of measurable precipitation.

Community members can find detailed information on protecting homes and businesses from wildfire dangers, including weed abatement deadlines and preparing now for the possibility of evacuation, on the district’s website.