Firefighters urge campers to practice fire safety Memorial Day Weekend

Julianne O’hara and Rachel Belofsy came from Los Angeles to spend Memorial Day Weekend at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Monterey.

“We were going to try to do Yosemite and then we heard that camping was going to be impossible and then we came here and found out the same thing,” said Belofsky. “But we got a little lucky this time so it worked out well.”

The best friends have a lot of relaxation and campfire roasting planned.

“Cook some s’mores, cook some hot dogs, play the ukulele around the fire,” said O’hara.

As many are cooking over an open flame and lighting camp fires, Cal Fire has added extra staff this weekend in case something goes wrong.

“What seems as a simple activity may start a fire and cause some disastrous event,” said Cal Fire Battalion Chief Buddy Bloxham. “You want to make sure you’re cautious this weekend and have a good time.”

They’re asking campers to get campfire permits, check for local fire restrictions, clear away grass and leaves and other debris within a 10 feet perimeter of any campfire.

“If you’re gonna Bar B Que and you’re using briquettes, make sure that you extinguish them properly with putting water on them besides just dumping them on the ground,” said Bloxham.

They also said make sure nothing is hanging from your car and don’t drive or pull your vehicle over dry grass, which could start a fire.

“We’ve had grass this year that’s as tall as up to the hood in some vehicles,” said Bloxham. “So the conditions are always right for us to get fires.”

Fire officials said water drownings also dramatically increase this weekend. They’re asking people to be cautious while out on lakes and rivers and to always wear a life jacket.