California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Amador-El Dorado Unit

CONTACT: Teri Mizuhara, Fire Prevention Specialist II, 530.708.2724
RELEASE DATE: November 1, 2011

Winter Preparedness Announced By CAL FIRE

CAMINO - On Monday, November 7th, at 8 AM, the Amador-El Dorado Unit (AEU) of CAL FIRE will transition into their "winter preparedness" level of staffing. This will mean most seasonal fire fighting personnel will be laid off and some fire stations will be closed (In Amador County: Dew Drop Fire Station, River Pines Station and Sutter Hill Station and in El Dorado County: Pilot Hill, Garden Valley, Mt. Danaher, and El Dorado Stations will be closed). "AEU's staffing levels are sufficient to respond to any local emergency and CAL FIRE is always prepared to call back additional resources if fire weather conditions change. We make these decisions based on our current and forecasted weather conditions." says Unit Chief Kelly Keenan who adds "CAL FIRE is acutely aware of these challenging economic times and we believe that down staffing at this time is the best decision in order to manage our resources and responsibly administer our budget."

"The current weather conditions offer an excellent opportunity to work on your defensible space. Create the 100 foot barrier around your home and outbuildings on your property as this is an excellent defense against a wildfire. Right now you can pile and burn the vegetation you generate, the time is now" asserts Chief Keenan. Burn restrictions have been lifted and, as of November 7th, CAL FIRE residential burn permits will no longer required for four by four foot debris piles (vegetation only).

The local Air Quality Management Districts (AQMD) govern burn/no burn day status so make sure you call the burn information line immediately prior to burning. In addition, your local AQMD may still require a county permit for burning.

• Amador County (209)223-6246           • El Dorado County (530)621-5897
• Sacramento County (916) 874-4800           • Alpine County (760) 872-8211

For additional information on burning safely, defensible space and other fire and life safety topics, please visit the CAL FIRE website at www.fire.ca.gov.

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