CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department Transitions to Winter-Preparedness Staffing

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Effective Monday, November 29, 2010, CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Chief John R. Hawkins has rescinded the closure restricting public access of the seven hazardous fire areas cited under Riverside County Ordinance 787.4. The following areas will be re-opened to the public:

• Avery Canyon (Gibbel Road east of State Street in Hemet)
  
• North Mountain and Indian Canyon (San Jacinto area)
  
• Whitewater Canyon (east of Cabazon and north of Palm Springs)
  
• Nuevo/Lakeview (east of Menifee Road and San Jacinto Avenue)
  
• Minto (Sage)
  
• Reinhardt Canyon (north of Hwy 74 and California Avenue in Hemet)
  
• Ramona Bowl and Bautista Canyon (southeast Hemet)
  

In addition to re-opening these hazardous fire areas, Chief Hawkins has also terminated the Proclamation suspending burning permits and other uses of open fire in local and state responsibility lands in Riverside County.

Also effective on November 29, 2010, CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department will transition to "Winter- Preparedness" staffing. Augmented air and ground firefighting resources during "Summer-Preparedness" staffing, or "peak" fire season, will transition to minimum staffing levels during the winter months. CAL FIRE stations within the Riverside County Fire Department service area where two engines are staffed during "Summer Preparedness" will be reduced to one engine. These stations include:

• Station 1 – Perris
  
• Station 10 – Lake Elsinore
  
• Station 20 – Beaumont
  
• Station 28 – Sage
  
• Station 29 – Anza
  

Fixed-wing aircraft at CAL FIRE's Ryan Air Attack Base in Hemet will be off-contract on November 30, 2010, however, one water-dropping helicopter and one bulldozer will be covered 24/7.

CAL FIRE "State" station and aircraft staffing levels are typically augmented each summer. Careful and constant evaluation of predicted weather, fuel moisture and potential fire conditions dictates the annual transition from "Summer" to "Winter Preparedness" staffing.

CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department would like to stress the importance of "hardening your home" in preparation of the 2011 and future fire seasons. Are you prepared? Visit our website at www.rvcfire.org or the CAL FIRE website at www.fire.ca.gov to learn more about "Ready, Set, GO!" This interactive, user-friendly application takes you on a guided fire safety tour that includes simple steps to prepare your family, home and property against potentially devastating wildfires.



Author:CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Dept. Press Release