San Andreas, CA…The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) will be conducting live fire training in Tuolumne County. This training is designed to instruct fireline supervisors, from around the State, in proper techniques to plan and conduct complex firing operations during wildland fire suppression operations.

Students will learn how to apply fire, to fight fire. They will also learn the proper techniques to ignite and control fire that is outside the perimeter of an approaching wildland fire. This technique is utilized to starve the wildfire of available vegetation, thus aiding in suppression efforts.

The training will occur at Sardella Ranch on Wards Ferry Rd. Additionally, the live fire training will aid the rangeland by burning the Medusahead, a noxious weed identified by Tuolumne County Agriculture Department.

The two day live fire training will commence at 10 A.M., Wednesday October 12th and will conclude on Thursday October 13th. Live burns will be conducted from 10 A.M. until 5 P.M. each day. Resources utilized to conduct the training will consist of five fire engines, two fire crews, and one bulldozer. If conditions are conducive, approximately 80 of acres of grass and oak understory will be burned in 1-3 acre parcels to reduce the amount of smoke.