They held a press conference today at the Ryan Air Attack Base in Hemet to remind the community to do their part in preventing wildfires. Fire officials say that even things like mowing your lawn after 10am can cause a spark that turns into an inferno. The flames can reach temperatures of 1500 degrees.

 

"Things are really starting to dry up and before they get too dry we want residents to make sure they've cleared all the grass all the dead brush before we get into the summer time because that's when it becomes fuel for a wildfire," said Cal Fire Spokesman Daniel Berlant.

 

Rainfall is 50 percent below normal this year making for a potentially extreme wildfire season. 

 

"It's going to dry out quicker and i think we're going to have a greater chance of more fires this year because of the dryness and lack of rainfall," said Cal Fire Southern Region Chief, Dale Hutchinson.

 

Cal Fire is also urging the public to clear the brush within 100 feet of homes, after all less fuel means less fire.

 

"We need homeowners, residents to bring the defense. That means you have a responsibility living in the wild land areas of California particularly here in Riverside County to be more defensive with your space, to take care of your home and protect you and your family in the vent of a wildfire," said Cal Fire Director, Ken Pimlott.

 

But with 80 million dollars slashed from this year's budget, Cal Fire will have to do more with less, moving resources across the state.  

 

As the fire department hopes that the community will due their part to be ready, set, go should the smoke turn to flames this fire season.