Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire) announced a return to full fire responses for all grass, vegetation, and wildland fires across the District, 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 reduced threat during the winter months.
wildfire season
Con Fire is preparing for a challenging wildfire season and urges all residents to do the same to protect their families, homes, and neighbors. If not already done, it is 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 Crew 12, 16-person hand crew teams, allowing for seven-day-per-week availability.
Zonehaven digital evacuation planning & management tool
Zonehaven streamlines planning, conduct, and communication of evacuations for all disasters
A major improvement in wildfire readiness this year is the implementation of the Zonehaven digital evacuation planning and management tool by all County fire and law enforcement agencies.
This new tool, streamlines planning, conduct, and communication of evacuations for all disasters by creating discrete evacuation zones for every area of the county. Residents are encouraged to learn and note their zone for reference in an emergency by visiting the website.
Seasonal fire danger
“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 Lewis Broschard, Fire Chief at Contra Costa County Fire Protection District.
He adds, “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 plans for evacuation, including learning your new evacuation zone.”
Owner preparation
Investment in fire-safe preparation can buy the time tomorrow for firefighters to arrive and protect structures"
“Recent County experience shows the resident who abates weeds, creates defensible space, and hardens structures to resist wind-blown embers today can truly make a difference. Owner preparation of properties is the single most effective thing that can be done to save homes and businesses from the threat of wildfires,” said Assistant Chief and Fire Marshal, Chris Bachman, of Contra Costa County Fire Protection District.
He adds, “Investment in fire safe preparation today can buy the time tomorrow for firefighters to arrive and protect structures from wildfire loss.”
Fire safe preparation
In 2021, across Contra Costa County, more than 60 residents were displaced from their homes due to 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. 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.
Weather forecasts
A significant contributor to the 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.
Vegetation fuels present across the 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.