Chief Skeels said that controlled burns are preceded by briefings on safety issues and take months of preparation to clear the action through various county agencies.Equipment and crews were assigned positions before the test burn was lit at 11 a.m.“They have it really well prepared, made wide fire breaks around the area to burn and in some areas they had gone in done some cutting of brush. The brush under large oak and other trees was cut back so they’re not damaged by the fire,” said Chief Skeels.Firefighters were kept on scene throughout the night to keep an eye on hotspots.The worst part of the fire season runs from late September through October and Chief Skeels as well as other fire officials are worried about wildfire danger.With the wild rains of winter brush has been especially heavy that will probably cause major fires later this year: “Experience tells us it’s going to be a pretty serious fire season this year.”Chief Skeels urged property owners to make sure that they are “Vigilant of weed abatement...” always the best defense against wildfire.
Controlled burn in Adams Canyon levels 700 acres, offers training
August 12, 2005
Santa Paula News
The fear of wildfire caused many city residents to worry about the head of smoke above Adams Canyon that appeared on Wednesday, but the blaze was a controlled burn, just the latest in a series to destroy dry brush in the canyon according to a Santa Paula Fire Department official.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesThe fear of wildfire caused many city residents to worry about the head of smoke above Adams Canyon that appeared on Wednesday, but the blaze was a controlled burn, just the latest in a series to destroy dry brush in the canyon according to a Santa Paula Fire Department official.Various fire agencies took part in the 700-acre burn said SPFD Chief Paul Skeels on Wednesday.“We have an engine up there also,” he noted. “Controlled burns in Adams Canyon have been conducted in a series over several years. The main purpose is to clear out definable space,” and clear the heavy winter rain’s fed overgrown brush. “There are a lot of agencies up there...they’re trying to abate 700 acres, it’s a pretty large amount.”About 150 firefighters were at the scene of the controlled burn, which was also used as a training exercise.On the scene were hand crews, bulldozers, helicopters and water tankers noted Chief Skeels and “Our engine was assigned under Captain Kevin Fildes to assist the helicopter operation.”Fighting an actual wildfire costs about $1,400 an hour but a controlled burn costs only $57 per hour.
