End Of Fire Season Right Around The Corner

Sonora, CA -- Although an official date has yet to be set the end of the 2009 fire season is right around the corner.

According to CAL Fire's Gordon Winningham CAL Fire headquarters in Sacramento and the Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit, headed up by Mike Noonon, will make a joint decision.

"They'll consider fire conditions, fuel moistures and everything statewide. Sacramento and the local unit will get together and make a decision based on the fire conditions, how much rain we've had, what the fire danger is and the resource needs that we have.

The end should be coming close. However we do have resources out of the unit now (Loma Fire in the Santa Cruz Mountains and a strike team of engines in wind-whipped Los Angeles County) so we're not quite there yet."

Winningham adds that even though it may be a "burn day" everyone should use common sense. If the wind is blowing as it has over the past couple of days, DON'T BURN even if it is a "burn day."

Always have your permit in hand, a minimum of 10 feet of clearance around your 4x4 foot pile along with plenty of water and a shovel immediately available.

Written by bill.johnson@mlode.com