This week’s fires were certainly a surprise to many people living in the Santa Cruz mountains, but CAL FIRE officials were, nevertheless, prepared.
There are fewer firefighters on duty this time of year, specifically because there are usually fewer fires.
"We do have enough firefighters," said CAL FIRE Battalion Chief of Communications Isaac Sanchez. "Over the last couple of years additional firefighters were brought on to help attack these fires with the potential for these large destructive fires. Would we like to see more? Of course. Every fire department would like to have more staff."
He said the attack on these January fires had to be all hands on deck because of reduced winter staffing levels, but firefighters were able to stop them from growing and didn’t lose any homes.
Will winter staffing someday be more like summer and fall staffing?
"It certainly does beg the question as to whether that is a real possibility that we’re facing at this point," Sanchez told KCBS Radio. "What we’re seeing is that the burning conditions are extending further into the winter and returning again earlier in the spring. (It’s) definitely a concern, but one that we’re preparing for."
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