May 11, 2008 6:15 pm US/Pacific
Fire Season To Begin In Bay Area Counties
SANTA CLARA (BCN) ―
The Cal Fire Santa Clara Unit has announced that fire season will begin Monday in Santa Clara, Contra Costa and Alameda counties and all open burning permits will be suspended in areas under contract to the agency.
The start of fire season varies throughout the state and is based on weather conditions, vegetation and increased fire activity, according to Cal Fire.
To respond to local conditions, unit chiefs hire seasonal firefighters, increase dispatch levels and operate fire response facilities at all times.
Agriculture, land management, fire training and other industrial-type burning may continue if a Cal Fire official inspects the burn site and issues a permit.
Campfires are allowed in designated campgrounds and in established facilities on private property with permission from the jurisdictional authority, Cal Fire reported.
In addition to Santa Clara, Contra Costa and Alameda counties, fire season will begin Monday in certain areas west of Interstate Highway 5 in Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties.
In recognition of the beginning of fire season in many areas of the state, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger recently proclaimed May 4 through May 10 of this year Wildfire Awareness Week.
The proclamation recognized last year's wildfires in Southern California that left 10 people dead and forced hundreds of thousands to evacuate.
"Wildfires hurt our environment, our economy and the lives of many Californians, and it is up to us to take action to help prevent wildfires from starting and spreading," the proclamation read.
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