Week of May 5-11 Declared 'Wildfire Awareness Week'

With an increase seen in fire activity recently, California Governor Jerry Brown has declared the week of May 5 through 11 as "Wildfire Awareness Week."

Current conditions are reportedly what should be occurring in June. Coupled with a dry winter, which has reduced the statewide snowpack to 17 percent of normal, fire fighters have responded to nearly 1,100 fires this year, said Ken Pimlott, CAL FIRE director.

CAL FIRE is reminding residents to remember the phrase "Ready, Set, Go!"; to be ready for fire dangers by maintaining at least 100 feet of "defensible space" around their homes and to reinforce their homes with fire-resistant building materials.

“Most wildfires are preventable and we need residents and vacationers to be extra cautious outdoors so we can prevent wildfires from occurring in the first place,” Pimlott said.

For more information, visit readyforwildfire.org , or fire.ca.gov.