AUBURN –

Cal Fire is staffed for disaster ahead of schedule this year.

“In Southern California, we’re already at our peak staffing level,” said Cal Fire Spokesman, Daniel Berlant.  “Here in Northern California, over the next week to two weeks, we will be at our full staffing levels for fire season, a move that usually a move that usually doesn’t occur until mid-July.”

With large fires burning in Santa Barbara and San Diego Counties, firefighters from Northern California have already been called upon to assist.

“We’ve started to move resources from our Amador and El Dorado unit down to the Central Valley to cover behind engines that we’ve moved down into the south land,” Berlant explained.

Cal Fire is asking everyone in California to help prevent fires.

“Any activity that can cause a spark or has an open flame, you have to be extra careful with it in the outdoor areas,” said Berlant. “It doesnt take much to spark a fire.  And especially with the drought conditions, fire can quickly escape your control. So really, one less spark means one less wild fire.”

Homeowners in grassy or wooded areas are urged to clear 100 feet of defensible space around their properties.