El Dorado County firefighters and residents ready for fire season

As temperatures warm and vegetation dries out, the risk of wildfires in Northern California is currently increasing.

The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors recently issued a proclamation declaring May through October 2024 wildfire awareness season. County officials are calling on all residents to prepare for wildfires.

Ken Pimlott, of the El Dorado County Office of Wildfire Preparedness and Resilience, said that while late spring rains delayed typical dry conditions across the county, recent fires in recent weeks show that the weather is changing.

“El Dorado County is prone to wildfires, and just because the fire season starts late this year doesn't mean the same conditions and threat don't exist and won't be there later, and so this proclamation is simply extremely important to ensure that every citizen of El Dorado County is aware of the dangers of wildfires in our county,” Pimlott said. “All of our residents need to prepare now.”

Part of those preparations include home-hardening efforts, including installing ember-resistant vents and fire-resistant coverings in homes. Lucas Shepard, a captain and fire prevention specialist with the El Dorado County Fire Protection District, said home hardening is most effective when paired with defensible space.

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“The most important thing we see that people can do and maintain is their defensible space,” Shepard said. “It looks like your non-combustible zones, the embers that are going to hit the house in these wildfires. Don't have light, flashy fuels or receptive fuel beds to make the problem worse. So it is very important to have your permit comply with state standards or local ordinance.

Officials recommend clearing about 100 feet of space around your home of any materials or vegetation that could turn embers into massive flames. Residents are encouraged to check all of their plants as an added precaution.

“Even lush green vegetation can look green and healthy on the outside, and when you peel it, you can feel how dry it is and ready for an ember,” Shepard said.

Shepard also said residents should rid their roofs and gutters of pine needles and oak leaves.

If fires spread to homes, officials said people should be prepared to act quickly if there are warnings or evacuation orders. Residents should develop an evacuation plan with their families in advance, have their carry-on bags ready, and make electronic copies of all important documents.

“If there is a major incident in the county, or if there are evacuation notifications or warnings, or evacuation orders, you have to have a plan for that. We don’t want the first time you think about evacuating to be that day or that moment,” Shepard said.

El Dorado County uses an electronic evacuation alert system called RAVE. Residents can click the link on the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office website and fill out their information. RAVE will then notify residents of evacuations and provide other emergency alerts through phone calls, text messages and emails.

Outside the home, firefighters said to avoid working on the lawn with a mower during the day and to do it early in the morning or evening. People entertaining outdoors are encouraged to be careful around campfires and bonfires, especially near dry brush and wooded areas.

Firefighters said they were preparing to deal with more active wildfires in early summer. It's something Josh Vickers, battalion chief for the Cal Fire Amador-El Dorado unit, said he has already started to see.

“Fire starts are becoming more and more frequent, we've started doing more of them in the last few weeks,” Vickers said.

Starting next week, Vickers said Cal Fire's Amador-El Dorado unit will begin getting all of its equipment and personnel back. These resources are reduced during the spring months, but are then returned to full capacity during peak fire season during the summer months. Vickers said the Amador-El Dorado unit has 15 fire trucks, 15 hand crews, 2 bulldozers and aircraft that will all be in place soon.

“All of our engines should be back in full force as well as our crews, bulldozers and aircraft by the week of June 17,” Vickers said.

Vickers said Cal Fire's goal is to limit at least 95% of all fires to 10 acres or less.