Fire crews prepare gear as new season begins

Fire crews around the Central Coast are gearing up for a busy fire season, which officially starts this week.

On Monday, NewsChannel 5 spoke with CalFire crews to find out how they’re making sure things are running smoothly, in case disaster strikes.

“We’re gearing up for an early fire season. Based on the current field conditions and the lack of rain that we’ve seen in the last few years we’re anticipating starting about 30 to 45 days ahead of schedule,” Santa Cruz County CalFire Chief Scott Jalbert said.

Jalbert said crews are making sure fire engines are running smoothly, putting fresh tires on all the vehicles, getting equipment ready and making sure there is enough gear for new seasonal crew members.

“Our crews are getting ready to be hired, and once they get hired then they’ll go through a week long training program for our seasonal staff,” Jalbert said.

Jalbert said the department doesn’t normally hire seasonal staff until June. But because of dry conditions, the department is going to staff seven engines in mid-April. CalFire said grass growing tall this year could actually add more fuel to a fire during the dry season.

CalFire anticipates that grass will turn brown in the coming weeks, which they said is a telltale sign that things could get busy for fire crews very soon.

Planes at the Hollister Air Attack Base will be fully staffed and ready to go in the next few weeks. They are able to assist on any fire that may crop up in the region.