Live Fire Used To Train Flame Suppression

Sonora, CA – Cal Fire warns that the public may see smoke in the Sonora skies for the next three days, but it is just a drill.

The Cal Fire Tuolumne – Calaveras Unit will be conducting live fire training in Tuolumne County at the Sardella Ranch on Wards Ferry Road. Division Chief Jeff Sanders says the goal of the exercise is to instruct fireline supervisors from around the state in the proper techniques to ignite and control fire that is lit outside the perimeter of an approaching wildland fire. He adds that Students will be taught how to fight fire with fire by learning how to starve an approaching wildland fire of available vegetation. The exercise will also aid the rangeland by burning Medusahead grass, a noxious weed identified by Tuolumne County Agriculture Department, according to Cal Fire.

The live fire training runs from at 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (June 26-28). Motorists and residents in the area will see and smell smoke. Resources on hand for the training will include six fire engines and two fire crews, and one bulldozer. A total of about 80 acres of grass and oak understory will be burned if conditions allow.