The Latest News and information about California Fires

Cal Fire has been faced with a $30 million budget cut for the fiscal year 2011-2012. For the most part, this will be dealt with by reducing staff from four down to three people on each engine. In 2003, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger made an executive order for all crews to have four people, in order [...]

Early Saturday afternoon, CalFire responded to a house fire in west Chico.  Within 2 hours, they had put out the blaze, but by that time the 1,200 square foot house had been destroyed by the flames. Residents of the house were not home at the time of the fire. The cause of the fire is [...]

When firefighters responded to a garage fire caused by a deep fryer in Galt earlier this month, sprinklers had doused the flames, no one was hurt and there was minimal damage. While such scenes aren't always typical, according to Cosumnes Fire Department officials, they may soon become more common due to new fire sprinkler regulations [...]

Monday night, a fire broke out in an Arroyo Grande barn, completely destroying the structure. The fire began at 7:20 p.m. on the 700 block of Manuela Way. Many nearby residents reported feeling an explosion when the fire started. Cal Fire left the scene by 10:45 p.m. Although the barn held 2 residences, no one [...]

Thursday, December 16 marked the 199th anniversary of the New Madrid Quake, one of the largest earthquakes to ever strike the United States. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is using this as a reminder for the public to prepare for earthquakes and other disasters. As a part of their "Ready Campaign", FEMA urges everyone to [...]

  MOFFETT Field, Calif. – NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif., has entered into a  five-year Non-Reimbursable Space Act Agreement with the California Department of Forestry  and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) to use NASA technology and capabilities to help support the  management and mitigation of wildfire disasters.    "The two entities have had an [...]

The holiday season brings a number of fire related dangers with it. according to the National Fire Protection Association, Christmas trees account for roughly 250 fires each year, and candle fires peak in December. In order to avoid fire-related disasters this holiday season, Mario Rivera, spokesman for CalFire, recommends the following: -Choose a tree with [...]

Coast Guard responds to houseboat fire SAN FRANCISCO – The Coast Guard responded to a pier-side houseboat fire on Bethel Island this morning. At 2:13 a.m., Coast Guard Station Rio Vista responded to the report of a houseboat fire at a pier in Dutch Slough.  The Contra Costa County Fire and Sheriff’s Department also responded. Six vessels were involved in the fire, [...]

This Monday, the Santa Barbara County Fire Department officially transitioned from high-fire-season to a lower level. This came about due to the time of year and weather conditions, which carry a lower risk of wildfires. With the declared lower level of fire season preparedness comes a withdrawal of the burn ban. Next week, those with [...]

Nipomo, CA – A natural gas leak in Nipomo kept Cal Fire crews busy Saturday morning. It happened just before 10 o’clock near the intersection of Thompson and Price streets. A natural gas line underneath some metal protective plates started leaking. Cal Fire crews blocked off the area to prevent any sort of ignition source from [...]