2023 Wildfire Wrap-up
Paleto Cove Island Fire SAN FIRE response
Despite the end of December - wildfire season ending in November, wildfires becoming a common occurrence all times of year due to ever-changing environment changes, starting from natural causes to human error. Wildfire season 2023 is officially over with two major brushland fires on record after last years largest on record for San Andreas, Los Santos localised - the Kortz Center fire.
Throughout the year SAN FIRE has pushed educational and informative information of how you can keep yourself wildfire-ready, help prevent wildfires and what to do in times of emergency should a wildfire break out near your home. So here's your Wildfire season 2023 round-up.
Wildfire Preparedness Month 2024
In the run up to Wildfire season, educational content began covering Ready, Set, Go! As well as introducing you to Firewatch with the 'Get To Know' series which covered the duties of Deputy Fire Marshals all year round to protect San Andreas' State Parks in conjunction with our state partner San Andreas State Parks - As the summer months loomed, county residents also saw a rise in San Fire presence on such patrols.
Also with Public Relations, San Fire teamed up with State Parks for informational and educational hikes to enjoy the favourable weather conditions. Citizens of San Andreas were invited to participate on 'lite' Firewatch patrols of hikes from Paleto lumberyard to the Chilliad Visitor Center and Galileo Observatory to the Galileo trail with PIO Jorgensen and Ranger Wolf also learn more about the two parks and get closer to nature with nature and wildfire and fire safety education. Learning how to safely start and maintain a campfire as well as dispose of one.
During Wildfire Preparedness Month, we also teamed up with the Los Santos Fire Department for some Wildfire educational content. But, also responded to the first of the years few brushland fires in the county with a media statement being released in the wake of the first of many fires in Grapeseed;
"As wildfire season rapidly approaches, San Fire is always an avid educator of Wildfire risks and prevention - Members of the public can assist us in protecting areas such as the State Parks against Wildfire risks by following simple steps such as making sure they are fully prepared for any activities they intend to carry out.
A major risk, as we have seen today is heat sources. So far this year, San Andreas has experienced very little rainfall and when this happens, heat sources become a very big hazard to dry grassland - campers and park visitors alike should be cautious about setting up things such as campfires adequately to avoid this, in areas that lack a fuel for a fire to start and make sure, when they are done, to dispose of the paraphernalia such as burnt embers, firewood and such properly, if you cannot do this - They should be taken with you and disposed of appropriately once you get home.
Another is to make sure vehicles of any kind are not parked on brushland such as bushes and long grass, in extreme heat like San Andreas vehicles are liable to overheat if used or left on for extended periods of time. Which can become fire hazards in their own.
The biggest causes of wildfires are the examples stated above. But, also on land such as farms, so we'd urge and advise land owners, business owners and the like to make sure electrical equipment if used on dry wildland is maintained where possible - Equipment of electrical nature that has fallen into disrepair. Hazards can also be as simple as discarding a cigarette - We advise everyone to act with caution when disposing of their litter.
Wildfire season is anticipated to start from June with a peak in July - Seasons will usually stretch into the back end of November with an anticipated rise in Brushfire related calls. Our largest to date being the Kortz Center wildfire of November 2022. Deputy Fire Marshals will be participating in numerous Firewatch patrols and liaising with campers, hikers and State Park visitors throughout the State to ensure the State Parks are protected from the aforementioned risks as much as possible." - PIO Jorgensen in a statement shortly after Grapeseed's Union Road fire of 15th March.
PIO Jorgensen and Ranger Wolf talk with attendees at the Chilliad Hike (Credit: G. Stone)
PIO Jorgensen and Ranger Wolf demonstrate campfire safety at Arthurs Pass (Credit: G. Stone)
Notable Incidents
Grapeseed Union Street
The first of few brushland fires in Grapeseed, SAN FIRE and the Los Santos Fire Department responded to a brush fire on local farmland which was caused by a faulty generator. March 15th would be the first of many callouts to the farmlands near Grapeseed for brush related fires to do with faulty equipment.
Gordo Campsite fire
A small brushland fire broke out on the 11th of April at the Gordo campgrounds due to an unattended barbecue grill, this was the first brushland fire of the year where Wildfire tactics were utilized by the Los Santos Fire Department such as digging trenches. In response to this incident, SAN FIRE began pushing more educational content surrounding camping - especially with the Chilliad and Arthur's trail hikes and joint content with the Los Santos Fire Department.
Paleto Lumberyard fire
On the 1st of June SAN FIRE responded in conjunction with the Los Santos Fire Department to a lumber fire at the Paleto Lumberyard, while luckily this did not involve any brushland this had the potential to be a major incident if it was not for the Los Santos Fire Department's swift response. The work of intentional fire-setting the fire impacted the local wildlife which made working conditions difficult for firefighters. But, it was a prime example of how fire can impact on wildlife behavioral habits - including the spotting of a rare mountain lion. After an investigation by SAN FIRE Paleto lumberyard arsonist Sean Baxter was arrested on the 19th June.
Palomino Freeway fire
Shortly before July 4th, Independence Day the Fireworks Usage and Safety (FUSE) Act came in through the San Andreas State Government, regulating the use and sale of Fireworks. SAN FIRE began educational content about the proper and safe useage of fireworks. On the 8th of June, a fire broke out by the side of the Palomino Freeway relating to improper use and disposal of fireworks.
Mirror Park fire
An incident on the 4th of September saw an area of brushland on fire near by local homes of Utopia Gardens. Such an incident shows how wildfire can occur any time and anywhere and the threat towards individual homes and property is real. Deputy Fire Marshals attended to homes asking people to be ready to evacuate if needed. However, due to the swift work of the Los Santos Fire Department and unexpected rainfall, the incident ended without casualties or loss of property.
Paleto Cove Island fire
During a agency wide Firewatch on the 30th of September, a unit spotted smoke originating from an island just off Paleto Cove. Resulting in a joint response from San Fire, Los Santos Fire Department and San Andreas State Parks. This incident showed that wildfires can happen any time and anywhere. More-so, not all Wildfires are easily tackled as Paleto Cove's incident involved a marine and aerial firefighting approach. However, the incident was concluded without injury or casualty. But, highlighted the need to be prepared in emergency.
Since April 2021, SAN FIRE has investigated 21 brushland and/or wildfires, some started of potential criminal intentions. This statistic can be higher. However, this only takes into account Los Santos locale incidents and not those in the further reaches of San Andreas where other SAN FIRE offices are located. Thankfully for San Andreas in the backend of the year, we have seen an increase in rainfall. But, our work in wildfire safety and prevention and education will only continue into 2023.
