Crime & Safety

Belmont Officials Warn of Early Fire Season

Wildfires are already burning in Northern California and a red flag warning has been issued for the Bay Area. Firefighters extinguished a campfire in the hills above Carlmont High School on Monday.

The Belmont Fire Department is reminding residents that the fire season in California is off to an early start. An early season red flag warning issued this week and wildland fires in several Northern California counties point to a long fire season.

On Monday, Belmont firefighters responded to a reported fire in the hills above Carlmont High School and found a camp fire with no one around. 

"Fortunately, we received the call right away and got to it before it could spread" said Deputy Belmont Fire Chief Mike Gaffney. 

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"Any fire in our western hills has the potential to spread quickly and we respond aggressively."

“This is the kind of carless act that can lead to a major fire.”  Deputy Chief Gaffney added.

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This year’s fire season has started approximately two weeks earlier than normal.  Parts of Belmont are considered a Wildland-Urban Interface Area and the Belmont Fire Department is urging residents, especially in the western hills, to practice fire safety. 

Fire officials say same trees and vegetation that make Belmont the beautiful place it is can turn into dangerous fuel for a wildland fire.

To help prevent wildfires, the Belmont Fire Department advices residents to:

  • Maintain 100 feet of Defensible Space where possible
  • Remove all dead plants, grass, and weeds from within 30 feet of your home
  • Trim trees 6 feet from the ground
  • Remove all leaves, pine needles and debris from roofs
  • Create an Evacuation Plan in case of a wildfire
  • Be careful with barbeques, outdoor fire places and other sources of open flame

More information can be found on line at http://www.readyforwildfire.org/


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