CAL FIRE

Hired equipment is a key part of CAL FIRE’s incident response—dozers, water tenders, transports, and other contracted resources that help support operations when incidents scale up. The Heavy Equipment Boss (or HEQB) are CAL FIRE employees who oversee and coordinate the private contractors in the field on incidents. A recent training in San Bernardino brought HEQB students from throughout the Southern Region to prepare for escalating fire activity. #CALFIRE #HiredEquipment #HFEO #IncidentResponse

Hot weather is here, and it doesn’t take long for conditions to turn dangerous. As temperatures rise, so does the risk of heat-related illness. Take simple steps to protect yourself and others: ☀️ Stay hydrated ☀️ Limit outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day ☀️ Wear light clothing and take breaks in the shade ☀️ Never leave children or pets in a vehicle—even for a minute ☀️ Check on neighbors, especially older adults Heat can impact anyone. Stay cool. Stay safe. #CALFIRE #HeatSafety #StayHydrated #PublicSafety

Keeping the public informed starts with keeping our media partners safe while they report on active incidents. Recently, CAL FIRE hosted an incident safety training for Sacramento-area media. The training focused on how to report safely around active wildfires, recognize fireground hazards, and understand how incidents are managed. This coordination allows CAL FIRE and the media to work hand in hand, helping media crews document emergencies safely and deliver timely, accurate information to you when it matters most. #Media #Training #Safety #Wildfires #Incidents

Extreme heat is on the way across parts of California . The map shown here uses CalHeatScore, a new statewide tool that ranks heat risk in every ZIP code from 0 (low) to 4 (severe) based on weather forecasts and historical health impacts. Higher scores mean a greater chance of heat-related illness, especially for older adults, children, outdoor workers, and people without reliable cooling. Use the tool to check the heat risk in your community and find local resources such as cooling centers: 👉 calheatscore.calepa.ca.gov Heat safety tips • Hydrate often and avoid strenuous activity during peak heat • Check on neighbors, older adults, and pets • Take breaks in air-conditioned spaces or cooling centers • Never leave children or pets in vehicles Extreme heat is one of the most dangerous weather hazards in California. Stay informed and take steps now to protect yourself and your community. #HeatSafety #CalHeatScore #PublicSafety #California @OEHHA

CAL FIRE is accepting applications for Fire Fighter I (FFI), our seasonal, entry-level firefighting position, statewide! A Fire Fighter I is often the first step into a CAL FIRE career. FFIs work on the front lines responding to wildfires and all-risk emergencies, staff engine and hand crew operations, and serve communities across California during peak fire activity. It is physically demanding, fast-paced, and built for those ready to step up. Apply by March 31, 2026, to be considered in the next hiring round. To apply, you must: ➡ Be 18 years of age or older ➡ Have a valid driver’s license ➡ Be ready for all-risk emergency response and rigorous field work Want to strengthen your application? Pursue certifications, complete relevant training, and consider attending a fire academy. #FFI #JoinCALFIRE #NowHiring #FireService #PublicService

Do it safely, please.

Temperatures are climbing and we’re not the only ones feeling the heat. Even at the highest elevations, our critical Sierra Nevada snowpack is consistently shrinking and predicted record-breaking temperatures on the horizon means this will only happen faster. DWR is proactively tracking snowmelt to prepare for the incoming hotter and drier conditions by joining our partners at the California Cooperative Snow Surveys program to conduct mid-month snow surveys in several watersheds over the next two weeks and utilizing Airborne Snow Observatory flights in some watersheds to help assess the snowmelt conditions. Data driven science leads to informed water management decisions that ensure we’re ready for any climate extreme. Read more at water.ca.gov/News/Blog/2026… #Water #California #Snow

You can help slow the spread of invasive species: 🌳 Don’t move firewood. Buy it where you burn it. 🌳 Watch for warning signs like thinning leaves, dying branches, or small D-shaped exit holes in oak bark. 🌳 Report suspected infestations to local forestry or agriculture officials. Learn more CAL FIRE efforts to protect forest resources from predators: bit.ly/CFEntomology #OakBorerBettle #InvasivePests #CALFIRE #Entomology

Across California, invasive pests are putting stress on our forests and woodlands. A recent news report highlights the ongoing impact of the Goldspotted Oak Borer, an invasive beetle responsible for killing thousands of oak trees in Southern California. Dead and dying trees can increase wildfire risk by adding dry fuels to the landscape, which is why early detection and prevention matter. abc7.com/post/goldspott…

Firefighters don’t just respond to emergencies — they help prevent them. Public education is a core part of CAL FIRE’s fire prevention mission. By connecting directly with students, we’re building awareness early and reinforcing habits that keep families safer. We provide age-appropriate lessons on: 📞 When to call 911 and what to say 🚒 What firefighters do and who responds to emergencies 👨 What turnout gear looks like so children aren’t afraid 🧯 Basic fire safety tips for home and school These visits help children understand emergencies, build confidence, and reinforce simple safety habits that can last a lifetime. Recently, crews from CAL FIRE Santa Clara Unit and Morgan Hill Fire Department visited ABC Learning Montessori in Morgan Hill to spend time with students and answer their questions. #FireSafety #PublicEducation #CommunityRiskReduction #CALFIRE

✈️ The Cycle of Readiness 🔥 For CAL FIRE Aviation, there is no off-season—only a continuous cycle of preparation and response. While you might see less fire response during the winter and spring, these months are the busiest for the CAL FIRE Aviation Training Center (CATC) and the Aviation Headquarters maintenance teams. To ensure the fleet remains mission-ready, essential maintenance is conducted year-round both in the field and at headquarters. While base mechanics look after aircraft stationed in the field to maintain daily operational status, the winter and spring months bring the primary maintenance focus back to Aviation Headquarters. Aircraft return to HQ for comprehensive annual maintenance and meticulous safety inspections. Maintenance teams then put the aircraft through rigorous test flights to certify airworthiness before releasing them back to the field. Although training is a daily requirement, the winter and spring months provide a window for crews to return to the California Aviation Training Center (CATC) for mandatory annual proficiency training and, for some, new certifications. New pilots, Air Tactical Group Supervisors (ATGS), and Front Seat Helitack Captains undergo an intensive curriculum, beginning with classroom academics and simulator sessions before progressing to real-world training flights. Some classes include complex scenarios involving all aircraft types and role-players on the ground. During these months, advanced specialized training—such as hoist rescues and night operations—alongside air operations supervisory classes, is also held. #Aviation #CALFIRE #AirOps #Maintenance

Spring is almost here, and if you’re planting a tree this season, think long-term. The way it goes into the ground today determines how it grows for decades. The first few years matter most. Strong roots today mean a stronger, healthier, longer-lasting tree tomorrow. #ArborWeek #Trees #Gardening #SpringTime #CALFIRE

Firefighting demands strength, endurance, and resilience. That level of readiness doesn’t happen by accident — it’s built through consistent training and a strong culture of wellness. Earlier this year, the CAL FIRE Wellness Unit hosted its annual Unit Physical Fitness Coordinator Workshop at the Ben Clark Training Center in Riverside. Coordinators from across the state came together to sharpen their skills and strengthen the department’s approach to fitness and injury prevention. Experts covered functional strength training, nutrition for wildland firefighters, and strategies to design and adapt workouts that meet the operational demands of the job. Workshops like this reinforce a department-wide commitment to readiness. A healthy workforce supports safer operations, faster recovery, and long-term career sustainability. #CALFIRE #Wellness #FirefighterFitness #Training

Growing the next generation of healthy forests starts one seedling at a time. At CAL FIRE’s Soquel Demonstration State Forest, crews are planting the next generation of trees as part of ongoing reforestation work led by CAL FIRE. Every seedling placed in the ground supports long-term forest resilience, protects watersheds, strengthens wildlife habitat, and helps restore landscapes impacted by wildfire and other disturbances. This is careful, science-based work designed to shape healthier forests for decades to come. #CALFIRE #Reforestation #StateForests #ForestHealth

The #HeavyFireEquipment Operator Academy at the Ione Training Center runs 11 weeks, where operators build the skills needed to safely operate and recover heavy equipment in the field.

At CAL FIRE, we train to keep our engines out of harm’s way. But when one gets stuck or disabled, our heavy fire equipment operators step in. The same professionals who operate our bulldozers are also trained in equipment recovery. It’s a core component of the four-week Heavy Equipment Operator Academy at the CAL FIRE Ione Training Center, where crews learn the techniques needed to safely recover apparatus in challenging conditions. #HeavyEquipment #Dozers #Training #HFEO #Recovery

The first step in becoming a Heavy Fire Equipment Operator is taking the exam, which is held once a year. Learn more about the requirements and when the examination is open at JoinCALFIRE.com

Debris burning can reduce wildfire risk in rural California—but when done carelessly, it can also start one. Multiple CAL FIRE Units have recently responded to escaped debris burns. Before you burn: 🔥 Secure a permit at BurnPermit.ca.gov 🔥 Check that burning is allowed in your area that day 🔥 Clear a safe area around the pile 🔥 Keep water and tools nearby Never leave a burn unattended, and make sure the fire is dead out before you leave. If a burn starts to escape, call 911 immediately. #CALFIRE #DebrisBurning #WildfireSafety

In celebration of California Arbor Week 2026, we’re proud to announce this year’s poster contest winners. 🏆 California Arbor Week (March 7–14) is a statewide reminder that planting and caring for trees is an investment in our future. Urban and native forests protect, restore, and sustain the places we call home. CAL FIRE’s Urban and Community Forestry Program, alongside our partners, congratulates all winners and honorable mentions and thanks every student who shared their creativity and vision. See the winning artwork and learn more at: californiareleaf.org/arborweek #ArborWeek #CaliforniaArborWeek #ArborDay #UrbanForestry #TreesRootOurCommunity #CALFIRE

As spring approaches, it’s time to start thinking about defensible space and home hardening upgrades. One of the most overlooked vulnerabilities during a wildfire is your home’s vents. Flying embers can travel a mile or more ahead of a fire and enter through attic, foundation, and gable vents — igniting your home from the inside. Upgrading to ember- and flame-resistant vents or installing 1/8 to 1/16-inch metal mesh screening where appropriate can help reduce that risk. Home hardening doesn’t have to happen all at once. Start with practical upgrades that can make a difference. Learn more about defensible space and home hardening at ReadyForWildfire.org. #CALFIRE #HomeHardening #DefensibleSpace #WildfireReady