A
”
greater, taller, thicker
”
crop of grass and other vegetation in San Benito County portends
an active fire season, which officially began in California on May
3.
A “greater, taller, thicker” crop of grass and other vegetation in San Benito County portends an active fire season, which officially began in California on May 3.
San Benito County Batallian Chief Paul Avila this week said each of the 12 Calfire stations in the San Benito-Monterey Unit will have one active fire engine as of Monday, May 24 and will expand to two engines in mid-June.
“Our indicators are that fuel moistures are lower than they were last year, even with all the rain we’ve received,” Avila said. “Grass, which we call a one-hour fuel, will dry out within an hour of the sun coming out” and there is a lot of grass throughout the region after the spate of wet weather throughout the winter and early spring.
“The grass crop is going to be greater, taller, thicker and we’re anticipating more fires this year in the county,” Avila said. “We’re not seeing as many bare patches in the foothills. A lot of fires start in the grass.”
The regional backyard burn season ended May 1 for San Benito, Monterey and San Cruz counties. From now through Nov. 30, backyard fires used to dispose of vegetation or development burns used to dispose of dry vegetation cleared from commercial or residential developments, are prohibited both because of their fire danger and because of air pollution.
Avila said that a number of fires are triggered by illegal debris fires or from discarded cigarettes or from sparks from vehicles.
The burn season restriction, mandated by the Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District, does not prohibit agricultural burning, recreational or ceremonial fires or the use of in-home fireplaces or wood stoves and outdoor barbecues.
Fire officials are urging residents to have at least 100 feet of defensible space around their residence.
“We want 30 feet around the house to be either a bare minimum of soil or two-inch tall grass and people should limit ladder fuels,” such as trees or tall shrubs right up against a house, Avila said. “In addition to having that clearance, you don’t want any dead or dying trees or plants on your property and you should maintain your lawn. Also, make sure your chimney is clear and there is no debris or leaves in your gutter.”
Last year’s fire season was slower than usual, Avila said.
“We didn’t have as many starts and our equipment was readily available so we were able to jump on the fires quickly and keep them to a minimum,” he said.
Calfire’s flying fire crews will be stationed at the Hollister Airport by July 1 and a water-dropping helicopter is available year-round, according to Avila, who has been stationed in Hollister since last August.
Despite the reduction in local fires last year, California has experienced eight of the 20 largest fires during the past four years, according to Calfire.
