Los Padres Ramps Up Fire Resources For Weekend Weather Advisory

Los Padres Ramps Up Fire Resources For Weekend Weather Advisory
Release Date: Sep 23, 2011
Contact(s): Andrew Madsen (805) 961-5759, Joe Pasinato (805) 961-5745

GOLETA, CA With the National Weather Service forecasting thunderstorms across the forest and the potential for dry lightning and gusty winds, Los Padres officials announced that additional initial attack firefighting resources have been brought in to augment forest crews throughout the weekend.

Each of the Los Padres’ five ranger districts will have an extra crew sent over from neighboring national forests. A strike team of engines will be assigned to the Monterey and Santa Lucia Ranger Districts, and a strike team of two dozers will be stationed on the forest. Ten Smokejumpers are on standby at the Santa Maria Reload Base, which is being staffed through Sunday to service air tankers if needed for initial attack air suppression.

“We have seen an uptick in fire starts this month and we’re bringing on resources for initial attack should they be needed this weekend,” said Los Padres Forest Supervisor Peggy Hernandez. “Visitors planning on camping and spending time in the forest this weekend should double-check the weather forecast and be prepared for sudden changes in weather conditions.”