By Mary O’KEEFE

It used to be that California wildfire season began in October; however, with temperatures rising each year, the season has started earlier.

“In the [Los Angeles] County over the last few months we have already witnessed several brush fires. We have seen fires in Malibu, Castaic, Santa Clarita, La Verne and Lancaster ranging from 50 to over 800 acres [burned],”said LA County Fire Chief Daryl L. Osby.

Osby spoke at a recent event that welcomed the “super scooper” airplanes and water-dropping helicopters that came from Canada to LA County.

LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger shared the podium with Osby and thanked the government of Quebec for its 24-year partnership by providing the fire fighting air support.

The LACoFD has leased a pair of Bombardier CL-415 super scoopers from Canada. In addition to the super scoopers, their Erickson Air-Crane Helitanker was also leased.

“In the last few years the government contract usually starts around Sept. 1, but [lately] the County has asked us to come earlier,” said Elizabeth MacKay, Delegate, Québec Government Office in Los Angeles.

Osby warned that firefighters expect an active fire season this year.

“With this year’s rainfall and [vegetation] growth, we are predicting one of the more active fire seasons,” he said.

Osby added years of drought, record-breaking high temperatures and heavier rainfalls that increased vegetation growth have resulted in a “perfect storm,” and they are expecting a “very busy wildland fire season for the rest of the year.”

There are also Santa Ana wind events that can fuel the spread of fires.

“Our objective, if is there is an incident, [to] keep it small. The Los Angeles County Fire Dept.’s goal is, when we have wildland fire incidents, to keep those incidents at 10 acres or less,” Osby said.

The water-dropping air support should help the firefighters achieve their goal.

“Super scoopers can drop 1,600 gallons of water per drop, 3,200 gallons in tandem. The helitanker can drop 2,600 gallons of water and the LA County Fire Hawk can drop 1,000 gallons of water,” he said.

Osby and Barger stressed that fire safety responsibility is not just up to the firefighters, but communities as well.

“Over 90% of wildland incidents are created by humans,” Osby said.

The LACoFD has asked wildland areas to post restrictions on open flames. He also warned citizens to be careful with power tools and smoking in wildland areas.

He had three main points of fire awareness and safety. Those included proper brush clearance with defensible space for firefighters. Residents should have an evacuation plan and if fire or law enforcement ask residents to evacuate, they need to evacuate.

Barger echoed Osby’s concern about residents heeding the evacuation orders.

“Listen to those around you. When [officials] say there is a need to evacuate, evacuate,” she said.

If people do not leave when asked, they will not only be putting their own lives at risk but those of firefighters as well, she added.

For information on defensible space, abatement and evacuation plans, visit www.fire.lacounty.gov or visit any local fire station.

  Mary Okeefe