Cal Fire Cooperative Fire Protection Program

 In a State as large and populated as California, no one emergency response agency can do it all. That is why cooperative efforts via contracts and agreements between state, federal and local agencies are essential in response to emergencies like wildland and structure fires, floods, earthquakes, hazardous material spills, and medical aids.

The CAL FIRE Cooperative Fire Protection Program staff are responsible for coordinating those agreements and contracts for the Department. It is because of these cooperative efforts that you may see fire engines and firefighters from different agencies at the scene of an emergency, working under a unified command relationship.

This cooperative effort insures that the response time and number of agencies responding maxes out for the fire effort.  Feel more safe?

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Wildfire Season is Here!

Wildfires


More and more people are making their homes in woodland settings - in or near forests, rural areas, or remote mountain sites. There, homeowners enjoy the beauty of the environment but face the very real danger of wildfire.

Every year across our Nation, some homes survive - while many others do not - after a major wildfire. Those that survive almost always do so because their owners had prepared for the eventuality of fire, which is an inescapable force of nature in fire-prone wildland areas. Said in another way - if it's predictable, it's preventable!

Wildfires often begin unnoticed. These fires are usually triggered by lightning or accidents. They spread quickly, igniting brush, trees, and homes. Reduce your risk by preparing now - before wildfire strikes. Meet with your family to decide what to do and where to go if wildfires threaten your area. Follow the steps listed below to protect your family, home, and property.

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Top FAQs on Fire Hazard Severity Zones

Questions about fire hazard severity zones

What is a “Fire Hazard Severity Zone,” or FHSZ?
Answer: California law requires CAL FIRE to identify areas based on the severity of fire hazard that is expected to prevail there. These areas, or “zones,” are based on factors such as fuel (material that can burn), slope and fire weather. There are three zones, based on increasing fire hazard…medium, high and very high.

 

How is a FHSZ determined?
Answer: Using the latest fire science, CAL FIRE has developed and field tested a model that serves as the basis of zone assignments. The model evaluates property using characteristics that affect the probability of the area burning and potential fire behavior in the area. Many factors are considered such as fire history, existing and potential fuel, flame length, blowing embers, terrain, weather and the likelihood of buildings igniting.

 

What does FHSZ measure?
Answer: Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps evaluate “hazard,” not “risk”. They are like flood zone maps. “Hazard” is based on the physical conditions that create a likelihood that an area will burn over a 30 to 50-year period without considering modifications such as fuel reduction efforts. “Risk” is the potential damage a fire can do to the area under existing conditions, including any modifications such as defensible space, irrigation and sprinklers, and ignition resistant building construction.

How have the Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps changed?
Answer: Statewide, the acreage designated as very high Fire Hazard Severity Zones is reduced by 25 percent, the acreage designated as high Fire Hazard Severity Zones is increased by 57 percent, and the acreage designated as moderate Fire Hazard Severity Zones is increased by 33 percent. For detailed information on acreage changes by county, visit Publications. These changes are largely due to the ability to be more precise. In the previous map version, typically a minimum 10,000-acre zone size was used resulting in large areas of land being designated based on the highest hazard level found in that entire area. Refined modeling techniques and new, more precise data describing the potential fire environment has enabled the use of 200-acre parcel sizes in many cases which makes mapping more spatially refined. In addition, improved mapping science and a thorough model allowed for more consistency in how zones are rated.

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Burn Permits!

Burn Permit Information

CAL FIRE's Burn Restrictions and Burn Permits During certain times of the year residential landscape debris burning of dead vegetation is allowed. However, homeowners should always check with their local CAL FIRE station and local air quality management agency before burning. In many area burn permits may be required. For more information on debris burning safety download an educational fact sheet. To find out if it is a permissive burn day in your area, contact your local air quality district. Contact information may be found at the State Air Resources Board website. Burn Restrictions When the weather begins to cool down and fire danger decreases, CAL FIRE will lift burn restrictions on residential debris burning. CAL FIRE's burn restrictions only apply to State Responsibility Areas (SRA). Check with your local fire station to see if CAL FIRE's burn restrictions affect you and whether a burn permit is required. When a burn restriction is in place there is absolutely no debris burning allowed. Click HERE to see how you can protect your home with Roofsaversprinklers.com

Cal Fire Fire Protection Services

Responding to all types of emergencies on a daily basis is the job done by 90 percent of the CAL FIRE workforce.

Those emergencies take the form of wildland fires, residential/commercial structure fires, automobile accidents, heart attacks, drownings, lost hikers, hazardous material spills on highways, train wrecks, floods, earthquakes - the list is endless.

CAL FIRE firefighters, fire engines and aircraft respond to an average of more than 5,600 wildland fires, and answer the call more than 350,000 times for other emergencies each year.

CAL FIRE crews and equipment are a familiar sight throughout the State with responsibility for the protection of over 31 million acres of California's privately-owned wildlands.

In addition, they provide emergency services of all kinds within 36 of California's 58 counties through local government contracts.

The information provided on these pages depicts the challenges CAL FIRE’s dedicated, well-trained, emergency response forces face each day, and how they meet those challenges.

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Calfirfe Campaigns for Local Firewood Usage

Calfire Campaigns for Local Firewood Usage

In an effort to keep forests healthy, Calfire encourages Californians to buy their firewood locally. Teaming up with the California Task Force, Calfire began their public outreach campaign in September with the goal of informing campers, wood cutters, arborists, and the general public about the risks of using transported firewood.
Firewood transported over long distances may contain insects or pathogens that are unfamiliar to the territory where they are purchased. These life forms are invisible to the naked eye, so it is impossible to distinguish a harmless log from a potentially detrimental one. Introducing an invasive species into an environment can be very damaging, both environmentally and economically, because the environment does not have the natural defenses needed to fight off pest attack.
Calfire's campaign is taking many approaches to deterring this issue, which has increased in recent decades due to heightened globalization. By surveying campers' knowledge of invasive species in areas affected by the invasive beetle species likely introduced to San Diego County by out-of-state firewood, Calfire hopes to gain feedback that will help them target their long-term audience as effectively as possible. The campaign also includes hanging informative firewood posters in campgrounds and parks, mailing pamphlets to industry professionals, and distributing informative frisbees and playing cards to campers. 

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Hardening Your Home For Fire Season

Hardening Your Home

Flying embers destroy homes up to a mile from wildland areas. Prepare (harden) your home now before fire starts. Here are some of the things you can do to harden your home: Roof: The roof is the most vulnerable part of your home. Homes with wood or shingle roofs are at high risk of being destroyed during a wildfire. Build your roof or re-roof with materials such as composition, metal or tile. Block any spaces between roof decking and covering to prevent embers from catching. Vents: Vents on homes create openings for flying embers. Cover all vent openings with 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch metal mesh. Do not use fiberglass or plastic mesh because they can melt and burn. Protect vents in eaves or cornices with baffles to block embers. (Mesh is not enough.) Eaves and Soffits: Eaves and soffits should be protected with ignition-resistant* or non-combustible materials. Windows: Heat from a wildfire can cause windows to break even before the home ignites. This allows burning embers to enter and start fires inside. Single-paned and large windows are particularly vulnerable. Install dual-paned windows with one pane of tempered glass to reduce the chance of breakage in a fire. Consider limiting the size and number of windows that face large areas of vegetation. Walls: Wood products, such as boards, panels or shingles, are common siding materials. However, they are combustible and not good choices for fire-prone areas. Build or remodel your walls with ignition resistant* building materials, such as stucco, fiber cement, wall siding, fire retardant, treated wood, or other approved materials. Be sure to extend materials from the foundation to the roof. Decks: Surfaces within 10 feet of the building should be built with ignition-resistant*, non-combustible, or other approved materials. Ensure that all combustible items are removed from underneath your deck. Rain Gutters: Screen or enclose rain gutters to prevent accumulation of plant debris. Patio Cover: Use the same ignition resistance materials for patio coverings as a roof. Chimney: Cover your chimney and stovepipe outlets with a non-combustible screen. Use metal screen material with openings no smaller than 3/8 inch and no larger than 1/2 inch to prevent embers from escaping and igniting a fire. Garage: Have a fire extinguisher and tools such as a shovel, rake, bucket, and hoe available for fire emergencies. Install weather stripping around and under the garage door to prevent embers from blowing in. Store all combustible and flammable liquids away from ignition sources. Fences: Consider using ignition resistant or non-combustible fence materials to protect your home during a wildfire. Driveways and Access Roads: Driveways should be built and maintained in accordance with state and local codes to allow fire and emergency vehicles to reach your home. Consider maintaining access roads with a minimum of 10 feet of clearance on either side, allowing for two way traffic. Ensure that all gates open inward and are wide enough to accommodate emergency equipment. Trim trees and shrubs overhanging the road to allow emergency vehicles to pass. Address: Make sure your address is clearly visible from the road. Water Supply: Consider having multiple garden hoses that are long enough to reach all areas of your home and other structures on your property. If you have a pool or well, consider getting a pump. If you want to learn about a neat water roof system, Click HERE for Roof Savers Sprinklers.