Wildfire threat 'a little scary'

Numerous spring foothill blazes caused by out-of-control burn piles and bone-dry conditions have Nevada County and CalFire officials pleading with rural residents for extra caution.

"We appreciate people getting rid of fuels, but sometimes the wind comes up, and things are dry," said Gene Vander Plaats, chief of the Penn Valley Fire Protection District. "The moisture levels are mid-summer, and it's a little scary."

From March 1 through April 24, the region has seen 78 wildland fires, compared to 60 fires for all of March and April in 2007, said Lynne Tolmachoff at the multi-agency emergency dispatch center in Grass Valley.

The center, operated by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, monitors emergencies in Nevada, Placer and Yuba counties.

Many of those fires were from burn piles that got away from rural landowners, according to CalFire Unit Chief Brad Harris.

"The wind has been tricking folks out there, and it carries embers," said David Ray, a battalion chief for the Nevada County Consolidated Fire District. The district has seen 15 brush fires this year from March 1 to April 24, compared to seven wildfires during March and April of 2007.

"Folks have to be safe and real careful," Ray said. "We are seeing conditions that are drier than normal already. The moisture content numbers (for brush and downed wood) are way down due to the weather and dryness."



Liable for damages

Burn piles are unregulated until seasonal regulations go into effect May 1, making fire officials particularly nervous about the coming days.

The free permits, available at local fire stations, trigger the regulations that call for specific safety measures.

The Penn Valley chief suggested people burn smaller piles until spring winds die down, and burn in the morning when a higher dew content can help prevent spread.

Ray used to burn brush on his property, but now he takes it to the green waste facility at the Nevada County Transfer Station on McCourtney Road, he said.

"It's safer," Ray said.

"Be extremely careful because you are liable for damages," Ray added. "In Tuolumne County last week, they had an escaped burn, and it burned a house down."

"If a fire escapes your control, you may be held criminally and civilly responsible for all costs associated with the suppression of the fire and the damage it caused," CalFire officials said in a statement issued Friday.



Recent fires

Several recent fires in his district illustrate the danger, Vander Plaats said.

"We've gone on six or seven (fires) in the last few weeks," Vander Plaats said. "We had two at one time on one day, and there was one on Spenceville Road that spread to the neighbors."

On Thursday on John Born Road, a person was burning and winds pushed the fire into a green pasture, scorching almost 3 acres of property.

Another fire occurred behind the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Penn Valley and burned an old outbuilding, Vander Plaats said.

Conditions were fine when the people began burning behind the church. "But the wind moved up within 30 minutes" and blew the fire out of control, Vander Plaats said.



Breezy weekend

The National Weather Service in Sacramento is predicting a beautiful western Nevada County weekend with temperatures in the 70s, but winds of 6 to 10 mph will be enough to increase burning dangers.

To avoid burning, residents can take advantage of the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County's free chipping program by calling 272-1122.

To contact Senior Staff Writer Dave Moller, e-mail dmoller@theunion.com or call 477-4237.



Burning tips and regulations

n Maximum burn pile size is 4 feet in diameter.

n Burning only can be done on permitted burn days. Before burning, call 274-7928.

n Clear all flammable material within 10 feet of the pile.

n Use of burn barrels and burning of household waste are no longer allowed.

n An adult must be in attendance of the fire at all times with a water supply and shovel.

n Create a 100-foot zone of defensible space around your home, as required by law.

n Remove flammable vegetation 30 feet from all structures.