CFD Conducts Prescribed Burns at Chico Airport to Reduce Interference with Fuels and Wildlife

CHICO, Calif. — The Chico Fire Department (CFD) and Chico Regional Airport also teamed up today to conduct a prescribed burn that will make things much safer for wildlife.

The CPD pruned about 185 acres around the airport Thursday. “You know, we can reinforce the things the guys have already learned and teach some of the new guys some of the techniques they'll use on a real fire,” said CFD Battalion Chief Mike Watner.

Watner told KRCR that in addition to training and fuel reduction, firefighters may also plan a burn for other safety reasons. “Wildlife and airplanes don't mix very well, which is why we help Chico Regional Airport manage vegetation every year. »

Butte County's wildlife has sometimes hampered pilots trying to land at Chico Airport. “What we do is go out there and get rid of the vegetation that provides shelter for the animals so they can find somewhere else to live.” Watner continued, “People who operate their plane at the airport then don't have to worry about a coyote or something else crossing the runway when they take off. »

So why do these burns on a hot day? Watner said the high temperatures actually make this the prime time to remove all grasses and weeds because they are dried out.

Wind is a factor that can cause delays, which has already happened once before this planned burn could be completed. “Air quality decides whether we can burn or not and they gave us a leg up, it was 105 yesterday or thereabouts so it was better to push it back a day.” Watner added: “Now we have a predominant south wind and that’s more beneficial.”

Currently being at the height of fire season, CFD would like to remind people to be extremely vigilant. “There have been a lot of fires, they have been small but in my experience it ranges from small fires and it's like flipping a switch if the weather is right and the fuels are receptive and a mistake of inattention can lead to a pretty big fire,” Watner told KRCR.