Many people know about the plenty of good things that the state of California has to offer. However, the wildfires that affect various regions, including the Sierra Nevada mountain range, are not one of them. These devastating fires have put California in the national spotlight due to their wreckage.
Nonetheless, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is one of the most progressive fire departments in the country. In this guide, you will learn how firefighters stop the California wildfires and what tactics and equipment they use for this endeavor.
They Use State-of-the-Art Technology
CAL FIRE uses innovative technology to help them locate and take down any emerging forest fires. They use computer software to forecast fire risks across the state. It analyzes millions of potential hazards and estimates the probability of a fire breaking out in a given area.
This software can also run simulations of a fire scene so that incident commanders can prepare themselves before they go into a fire. Before they head to the scene, a fire team can plan out how they want to tackle the flames, organize their resources, and schedule their activities, all thanks to this technology.
Naturally, firefighters are in an industry that requires fire-resistant clothing. Still, the uniforms they wear when fighting forest fires are lighter than what they would wear in a building or urban environment.
Firefighters Collaborate With Local Agencies
Since CAL FIRE is a state-wide fire department, they often collaborate with local firefighting organizations to contain a wildfire. For instance, CAL FIRE pays the counties of Marin, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Ventura, Kern, and Orange to provide fire protection to state parks and other areas in those counties.
These areas are known to legislators as “Contract Counties.” CAL FIRE operates its vehicle fleet out of Davis, California, so naturally, they wouldn’t be able to reach parts of Southern California quickly enough during the initial stages of a wildfire in that area.
They Rehabilitate Severely Burned Areas
Wildfires are a natural part of the environment, but sometimes, they burn so hotly that they completely decimate an entire region, including plant roots and most of the topsoil. This devastation comes with many environmental consequences, such as making an area more prone to mudslides and flooding. For this reason, firefighters will install culverts, silt fences, or water bars to prevent an area from severe erosion after a wildfire.
Overall, California has some of the worst wildfires in the country, but with the help of CAL FIRE, they can keep them under control so that they don’t burn down the entire state. Now that you know how firefighters stop the California wildfires, you can better appreciate the work that these brave people carry out annually.
