Happy Valley firefighters prepare for busy fire season; homeowners cautioned

MOBILE ATTACK:
Happy Valley Volunteer Firefighter Clint Snyder, 32, practices running a hose line from a pumper truck during a recent training session in anticipation of a busy fire season.

At a recent business meeting, Chief Joe Vasquez shared a document summarizing the preliminary outlook for California’s 2008 fire season.

In a nutshell, the dry months of March and April in northern California have caused fuel moisture levels to be lower than normal and grasses are drying out earlier. At this point, our fire season is classified as “normal”, however by June that could change to “above normal,” Vasquez said.

The document is a product of the National Seasonal Assessment Workshop held each April in Boulder, Colo. The interagency workshop brought together experts in climatology, fire weather meteorology, fuels and fire danger. The outlook is based on past and current conditions, trends and predictions for the next five months.

The Happy Valley Fire Department is already preparing for what the summer might bring. On two recent Thursday evenings, firefighters could be seen honing their skills on wildland mobile attacks, water tender operations, radio communications and the use of portable pumps. Last year’s fires will be reviewed and practice will also soon take place on the use of chain saws, fire shelters and safety equipment.

Fire engines may be seen out in local areas as teams become familiar with neighborhoods where wild land vegetation encroaches on residences. At one of these homes, lessons in the science of structure protection will take place. The site will be analyzed and firefighters will identify possible dangers, designate safe areas and develop a strategy needed to save that residence, if possible.

While firefighters are doing all they can to protect the community against another Canyon Fire, homeowners also need to do their part, Vasquez cautioned. More specifically, Vasquez said all homeowners should do the following:

* Make sure you provide the necessary one hundred feet clearance around your house and out buildings.

* Trim trees up to ten feet off the ground.

* Have hoses, sprinklers and even a ladder available to save time when fire crews arrive at your home.

* Move firewood and other flammable materials away from buildings, clean your rain gutters and make sure there is room for firefighters to move freely around your property.

If everyone does his or her share, Happy Valley should have an uneventful fire season!