San Andreas, CA…Recent rains and cooler temperatures across the region have lowered the threat of wildfires allowing CAL FIRE Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit (TCU) to transition out of peak fire season effective Friday, December 6, 2019 at 8:00 a.m. in Tuolumne, Calaveras and the eastern portions of San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties.

“I would like to thank our residents and visitors for once again helping to keep the number of wildfire ignitions low. I would also like to thank all of our firefighters and our cooperating federal, and local firefighters for their dedication, professionalism and hard work” said Unit Chief Josh White.

CAL FIRE will continue to maintain staffing to meet any potential threat, as well as maintaining the ability to strategically move resources to areas that remain at a higher threat level. CAL FIRE will also continue to monitor weather conditions closely and still has the ability to increase staffing should weather conditions change or if there is a need to support wildfires or other emergencies in other areas of the State. Statewide, CAL FIRE and firefighters from many local agencies responded to over 5,641 wildfires within the State Responsibility Area that burned nearly 128,831 acres. In the Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit, CAL FIRE responded to 278 wildfires that charred 937 acres. 61% of all wildfires in TCU were extinguished at less than 1 acre.

During the cooler winter months, CAL FIRE will continue to actively focus efforts on fire prevention and fuels treatment activities as guided by the State Strategic Fire Plan and localized Unit fire plan. These will be done through public education, prescribed burns and various types of fuel reduction. These activities are aimed at reducing the impacts of large, damaging wildfires and improving overall forest health.

Residents are urged to still take precautions outdoors in order to prevent sparking a wildfire. A leading cause of wildfires this time of year is from escaped landscape debris burning. Before you burn, ensure it is a permissive burn day by contacting the local air quality district and make sure you have all required APCD burn permits.

For more ways to burn safely visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org.
Follow us on Twitter: @CALFIRETCU and on Facebook @CAL FIRE Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit www.fire.ca.gov
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Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit CAL FIIRE NEWS RELEASE
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection