The drought in California has brought three consecutive dry years and 2015 has started out with record dry conditions in many areas. That has prompted the state's fire agency, CAL FIRE, to get an early start on preparations for wildfires.
CAL FIRE has said that "fire season" in Southern California is year-round. In Northern California, tinder dry conditions and warmer-than-normal-temperatures have increased the potential for wildfires this Spring.
"This year and last year definitely are a little bit worse as we go into year number four of our drought, so conditions are definitely worse and getting worse as the year progresses," said Lynne Tolmachoff with CAL FIRE.
Because of the conditions, Tolmachoff said the agency has completed its hiring of seasonal firefighters earlier than normal.
She also reminds people that state law requires 100 feet of defensible space around property structures.
Tolmachoff said for homeowners that includes pruning tree branches, cleaning gutters and eaves, and removing flammable material.
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