Fire Season Officially Comes To A Close

Sonora, CA — Due to the recent rains and cooler temperatures, yesterday the CAL Fire Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit transitioned out of peak fire season.

Many seasonal firefighters are now leaving, and the Air Attack base will be a quiet location over the next several months. CAL Fire leaders will continue to monitor the weather conditions and have the ability to increase staffing should weather conditions change. Some resources are being moved to areas of the state that still remain under a higher threat level.

CAL Fire Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit Chief Josh White says, “This season has been very dynamic and I am proud of the work done by all of the firefighters in TCU. I am thankful for all of the help by our local, federal and state cooperators. I also have appreciation for all of our citizens who helped prevent fires and maintained the defensible space around their properties.”

Statewide, there were 5,636 wildfires that burned 147,327 acres in the State Responsibility Area during the 2016 fire season. In the Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit, CAL Fire responded to 198 fires that charred 2,292 acres.