With danger extremely high, fire chiefs urge residents to be ‘cognizant’ this Fourth of July

An abundance of ground fuels mixed with hot weather and windy conditions indicate Northern California is in danger of wildfire (Yolo County is experiencing it firsthand at the moment with the County Fire, which has spread drastically over a short amount of time).

The conditions are ripe for catastrophe, fire experts say, which is why officials are asking residents to be aware of their surroundings this Fourth of July. The Laurellen Road fire is believed to have started in a shed adjacent to the house.

“Hopefully people are cognizant of what’s going on in nearby counties. You can already see that we are entering fire season and that things are already dried out in Northern California,” said Yuba City Fire Chief Pete Daley. “It’s not untypical to have a fire season start in early summer. So, we are asking people to be aware of what they are doing, whether it be with camp fires or fireworks

PLEASE RECYCLE NEWSPAPER AFTER READING on the fourth.”

Linda Fire Protection District Chief Rich Webb said conditions right now make the chance of wildfire even more likely heading into the holiday.

“Grasses have fully dried out, which means they are susceptible to fire. Conditions are so critical out there, so make sure when using fireworks that you have plenty of clearance and a water supply handy,” Webb said.

If everyone abided by the law and only used legal fireworks, it’s unlikely that injuries or fires would be as widespread as they are over the holiday. Unfortunately, Daley said, that’s not the case.

“I cannot remember an incident where we have had fires or injuries that were related to ‘safe and sane’ fireworks sold in this community,” he said. “It’s usually when people try to alter