IN CONTROL
JUNE 25 -JULY 1, 2021 | PAJARO VALLEY MAGAZINE
Courtesy of CalFire CZU
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Prescribed burns aim to thin out fuel that could possibly lead to a more volatile blaze.
Calming the blaze BY JOHANNA MILLER
Firefighters urge residents to prepare, help prevent wildfires
W
ildfire season in California typically kicks off in late summer or early fall. By then, rain-soaked earth has dried out completely, leaving plenty of fuel for fires to spark and spread. But this past rainy season resulted in less than half the usual amount of precipitation for the state. Two years of drought is causing things to dry up sooner, resulting in fires beginning much earlier in the year. “I hate to use the word ‘worry,’ but it’s definitely a concern,” said Cal Fire CZU Deputy Chief Nate Armstrong. “We typically wouldn’t see troublesome fires until around September or October. But right now, the moisture is so low. Things are starting up already.” Armstrong said that Cal Fire is doing what they can
