Wildfire Exercise
LAKE ELSINORE (CNS) – Cal Fire crews and inmate firefighters will be deploying next week for an extended “Wildfire Preparedness Exercise” near Lake Elsinore intended to prepare personnel for a long summer of battling brush fires.
“This measures the skill-set and readiness of Cal Fire engine and inmate firefighting crews to respond to wildland fires throughout the state,” according to an agency statement. “Training will consist of tool-up and personnel inspection, hiking, brush clearing and line construction, fire shelter deployment and vehicle safety inspections.”
The weeklong drill started Monday morning at the Los Pinos Fire Center, in the area of Long Canyon Drive and Main Divide Truck Trail, just north of the Ortega (74) Highway and roughly two miles west of Lake Elsinore.
“It not only evaluates everyone’s physical abilities but also the supervisors’ ability to lead and manage a crew of up to 17 personnel,” Battalion Chief Cody Wright said. “Completion of this exercise certifies the crew to Type 1 status, which means they can fight fire safely and aggressively without restrictions.”
The drills are conducted annually ahead of wildfire season, which generally spans May to November in Southern California.
Inmate hand crews are based at multiple camps in the region.
It was unclear whether U.S. Forest Service firefighters from the surrounding Cleveland National Forest would be participating in the exercise, which is concluding on Friday.
For More Fire Season News Visit www.zapinin.com/fire-season.
