The “Fire Season” is winding down in Northern California, but it is not over. Just last week we were

getting rain and the Eastside of the Sierra’s burning near Dole, Topaz and in Reno. Over 4 + million acres

have burned this year to date. Making it the worst season on record, and it is only late November.

Southern California typically has major wind events late in the calendar year. The following is a

breakdown of resources assigned to wildfires at the height of the firefight; 2,400 + Fire Engines, 122

Aircraft, 377 Fire Crews, 415 Bulldozers, and 458 Water Tenders. Total number of personnel committed

to the fires was nearly 19,000.

An Engine from the Fire District answered a request for assistance from the State on four occasions.

Staffed with three personnel. We responded one engine as a part of a five engine Strike Team to the

Poeville Fire outside Reno, to the Hog Fire near Susanville, to the North Fire Complex West in Quincy,

and the Glass Fire in Sonoma County. We also helped cover Placer County with one engine for two days

because of the resource drawdown.

Our Department Operations Center (DOC) was open and staffed by two Chief Officers during the Power

Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events/Red Flag Warning days. Extra staff were brought back to cover the

Divide on one occasion. We watched with interest the fires on the El Dorado National Forest as these

fires were located below the District boundaries.

The COVID-19 event continues to be a major part of everyday life. Our Personal Protective Equipment

(PPE) stocks continue to be adequate. We have received a Federal Grant for funds to purchase

protective equipment and that grant was completely expended. The County of Placer has also helped us

with PPE, as supplies were in great demand. Early on in the pandemic we also received masks from the

public to help us.

Our office is open for business. Monday and Fridays from 8 to 1 and Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday

from 8 to 5. If you have business with the district please follow social distancing practices and wear a

mask. Our fire stations continue to be closed to the general public.

The District has committed funds and received grants and donations to build an Emergency Alert Radio

Station for use in advising the public of potential and occurring emergencies of District interest. It will

also carry helpful information on community interests and events. This station will broadcast 24 hours a

day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. More information will be published as we get closer to the

completion of the project.

In closing, please utilize our Web Page (www.foresthillfire.org) and Facebook Page

(www.facebook.com/ForesthillFire/) for timely information, tips on Defensible Space, Go Bags, and

other materials, as we strive to make ourselves better prepared for what Mother Nature presents us.

Stay safe.