Dangerous Fire Season Ahead Prompts Interagency Meetings Across The Southland

Numerous firefighting agencies, including Cal Fire, met in Riverside and Los Angeles counties this week to prepare for collaborative responses throughout the fire season.

The meetings were designed to get the Southland ready for what could be a very dangerous fire season.

Cal Fire Regional Director Dale Hutchinson said increased rainfall through the fall and winter seasons has resulted in a more vigorous grass crop that is already fueling fire activity in the Inland Empire.

"We're already gearing up and having significant fire activity," Hutchinson said.

Cal Fire Acting Director Ken Pimlott said there have been 400 more fires started this year in Southern California than at the same time last year, though he said the acreage burned is about the same.

"With Calfornia's Mediterranean climate, we always have the potential for large and damaging fires," Pimlott said.

Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department serves the cities of Lake Elsinore and Wildomar.

Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl Osby said it’s helpful for fire agencies to sit down and talk about how to work collaboratively considering the budget challenges facing all the departments.

"We're all having some economic challenges," he admitted.

Hutchinson agreed but added, "One that hasn't changed is our dedication and our need to work to together with all of our partners to make sure we have a strong and viable fire protection system in California."

Ventura County Fire Chief Bob Roper said partnerships with homeowners are also critical in protecting against wildfires and he urged citizens to prepare by using the Ready, Set, Go protocol.

The protocol asks residents to prepare by:

• Clear brush to create a "defensible space" around the home; remove debris from roofs, and inspect ornamental landscaping.
• Keep an eye on wildfire warnings and weather conditions through the summer to anticipate when wildfires might happen.
• Be prepared to evacuate before a wildfire strikes. --Toni McAllister contributed to this report