Contra Costa County is no longer at heightened risk of wildfires for the season, according to a statement from the Contra Costa Fire Protection District.
The heightened seasonal fire danger designation was issued May 6 this year. It ended after 187 days, which is six days shorter than the heightened risk period in 2021.
The end of the designation means the fire protection district will utilize a single fire engine in its initial response to vegetation fires. The move was made after an increase in precipitation over the last week.
Con Fire reported a 10 percent increase in grass, vegetation, and exterior fires during this year’s season, for a total of 1,718 vegetation fires through Nov. 11.
All of the season’s outdoor fires were started by human activity, with 48 attributed to fireworks.
Most of those fires burned less than 10 acres, but 14 exceeded 10 acres and three grew to more than 100 acres, according to the statement. The largest fire of the season in the county was the “Marsh Fire,” which burned about 700 acres over several months along the Bay Point and Pittsburg shorelines.
Con Fire Chief Lewis Broschard said residents should remain vigilant in their fire prevention efforts.
“With nearly year-round fire danger, our fire risks in Contra Costa County are very real. I urge all residents to continue to practice fire safety in all outdoor activities and to plan well ahead of the typical spring-months arrival of fire danger for weed abatement and defensible space creation around their properties,” Broschard said.
and i will continue to advise them to eat yellow snow