As California grapples with 20 active fires, more may be on the horizon due to the scorching temperatures. Unfortunately, two individuals were recently arrested for unintentionally starting fires while attempting to clear brush, one using a lawnmower and the other a weed whacker. KTVU’s Tom Vacar provides more insights from Sunol on this concerning situation.
In Alameda County, California, we are facing one of the most intense years of wildfires due to extremely dry fuel. Recently, a wildfire named the Tesla fire broke out above De Valle Regional Park at around 11:15 on a Monday morning. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Despite growing to ten acres quickly, a full response from both air and land was able to stop the fire’s progress.
According to Cal Fire’s list, it is now the nineteenth active fire. “Starting a wildfire could lead to consequences,” cautioned the spokesperson.
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Cal Fire Public Information Officer, Jason Clay.
According to Jason Clay, the Public Information Officer for Cal Fire, two individuals were arrested last week by their law enforcement division for starting wildfires during the process of clearing grass and brush. One of the individuals, while using a weed whacker, started the Adams Fire, which covered an area of 16 acres in Lower Lake County on July 3rd. The said individual has been charged with three misdemeanors.
On July 6th, north of Geyserville, a man ignited the 11-acre Pocket Fire while using a riding mower. As a result, he is facing three misdemeanors and one felony charge. Cal Fire’s Clay emphasized the importance of responsible behavior during Red Flag Warning days while doing defensible space work, especially during the heat of the day. Such irresponsible actions can lead to disastrous consequences, making it crucial to exercise caution during these times.
Many people believe that as long as they perform mowing, weeding, and create defensible space before 10 AM, they are ensuring wildfire safety. However, this is not entirely accurate.
In addition to the time of day, there are two other crucial weather factors to take into account and adhere to. Clay advises that a safe way to assess whether or not it’s safe to work outside is by looking at the temperature and relative humidity. “If the temperature is below 80 degrees and the relative humidity is above 30 percent, then it’s a safe area to work in,” Clay suggests.
Cal Fire Public Information Officer stated that the weed whack for the Lower Lake Adams fire was carried out in extreme weather conditions of 105 degrees temperature and 10% humidity at 3 pm. Similarly, for the Geyserville Pocket Fire, it was performed in 99-degree weather with 22 percent humidity after 11 AM. The officer mentioned that the given parameters for safe weed whacking were not followed. As of Monday at 10 AM, there are 18 active wildfires in California, and more may arise.
