Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • topics
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight With Vicki Gonzalez
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 

Fire Crews Working Throughout California As Wildfire Preparedness Week Kicks Off

  •  Bob Moffitt 
Monday, May 6, 2019 | Sacramento, CA
Listen
/
Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Bob Moffitt / Capital Public Radio

Cal Fire marks the start of Wildfire Preparedness Week with an event in Sacramento.

Bob Moffitt / Capital Public Radio

The 2018 wildfire season set records for death and destruction in California. The state has identified 35 projects it says are key to preventing fire spread in the state this year.

Cal Fire hopes to complete the projects in advance of the coming fire season. Thom Porter, the new director of Cal Fire, says conditions are changing rapidly.

"Sea level up to about 2,000 feet, we're already seeing significant dry out of all of the grassy fuels,” Porter said at a news conference on Monday at McClellan Business Park, where Cal Fire has an air operations base.

He says fire crews are rushing to clear brush and grass in foothill locations before they dry out.

The California National Guard says this is the first time it has trained hand crews to clear areas before fire season, assigning 110 soldiers to work in Redding, Auburn, Monterey and Fresno, according to Major General David Baldwin.

Of the 35 projects, many are fire breaks, or strips of open space that stop the spread of fire, including ones in Orinda, east of Berkeley; in Colfax near Auburn, and in Southern California near the unincorporated community of Guatay in the Cuyamaca Mountains of San Diego County.

Cal Fire says the 35 projects were chosen in an effort to protect 200 communities.  

Fires burned a record 1.8 million acres and killed 100 people last year, 85 of whom died in the Camp Fire.

This is Wildfire Preparedness Week, as proclaimed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, who asked for an increase in funding for firefighting and fire prevention efforts in his first budget proposal.

Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  
Was this story useful?
yes
no

Will you help us improve our fires coverage? Head to our wildfire survey page to tell us what you think.

    More about wildfire

  • Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

    California Wildfires: Latest Updates

    CapRadio provides the latest information and updates on wildfires hitting the state, and resources for listeners to help prepare, follow and respond to fire.

    Related Stories

  • Noah Berger / AP Photo

    Insurance Claims From Deadly California Fires Top $12B

    Wednesday, May 8, 2019
    (AP) — Insurance claims have topped $12 billion for the November wildfires in California, making them the most expensive in state history.
  • Rich Pedroncelli / AP Photo

    New Cal Fire Director Thom Porter On How To Prepare For Wildfires

    Wednesday, May 8, 2019
    Cal Fire’s new Director Chief Thom Porter joins Insight to discuss Wildfire Awareness Week and the risk of fire throughout the state in the 2019 season.

 wildfire

Bob Moffitt

Former Sacramento Region Reporter

Bob reported on all things northern California and Nevada. His coverage of police technology, local athletes, and the environment has won a regional Associated Press and several Edward R. Murrow awards.  Read Full Bio 

Coronavirus Newsletter

Get answers to your questions, the latest updates and easy access to the resources you need, delivered to your inbox.

 

Want to know what to expect? Here's a recent newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

We'll send you weekly emails so you can stay informed about the coronavirus in California.

Browse all newsletters

More Stories

Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

Sacramento City Unified could extend school year a week to avoid state fine following strike

May 10, 2022

Alisha Jucevic / CalMatters

California spent millions to boost COVID vaccination rates of Medi-Cal members — but they lag even more

May 11, 2022

Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

Interview: Cal Fire’s staffing shortage, and a bill that could bring in more firefighters

May 13, 2022

Most Viewed

Downtown Sacramento shooting: What we know and latest updates

With California budget surplus projected at $97 billion, Newsom proposes driver rebates, more reproductive health funding

California coronavirus updates: Sacramento City Council may vote to continue virtual meetings

Ukraine says it's downed 200 aircraft, a mark of Russian failures in the sky

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla will appear on California’s June primary ballot twice. Here’s why.

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

Downtown Sacramento shooting: What we know and latest updates

With California budget surplus projected at $97 billion, Newsom proposes driver rebates, more reproductive health funding

California coronavirus updates: Sacramento City Council may vote to continue virtual meetings

Ukraine says it's downed 200 aircraft, a mark of Russian failures in the sky

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla will appear on California’s June primary ballot twice. Here’s why.

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Careers & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2022, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.