IN THE FIELD
Wildfire Season and Base Camp in the Age of Coronavirus
Lighting Complex Fires Set Record
This past August, over 11,000 lightning strikes sparked hundreds of wildfires across California, a weather event never before experienced in the state. As of this writing, over 1 million acres have burned and both the SCU and LNU Lightning Complex Fires have become the second and third largest fires in California history.
The state continues to be in a drought of historic proportions. Making the “new normal’ for wildfires a fixture that is here to stay and as Governor Gavin Newsom pointed out, we are now entering the “megafire era.” These fires have occurred against the backdrop of COVID-19 and California firefighters were already bracing for a long wildfire season, but coronavirus has made a bad situation worse. The pandemic already created a significant strain on resources, both at the state and local levels.
Governor Newsom declared a statewide emergency and deployed all possible resources to help battle the wildfires. Over 15,000 California firefighters were on the front lines across the state.
Pre-COVID-19 fire camps would be the perfect breeding ground for the virus to spread. The shared working, living and meal spaces would directly threaten the health and safety of firefighters, as well as potentially impacting fire response.
To reduce the risk during the lightning complex fires, base camps were much larger and spread out. They included daily temperature checks, social distancing regulations, mask requirements and many hand washing stations throughout camp. Signs were posted everywhere to reinforce health and safety precautions. Meals were distributed in single-file lines, with food in prepackaged boxes and chow areas spaced out. Morning briefings occurred with smaller in-person groups to essential personnel and broadcasted over radio for others to hear. Additionally, press conferences and meetings were streamed. In the event that a firefighter contracted the virus, isolation tents were prepared and available.
In addition to changes made at base camp, CAL FIRE also partnered with the California Medical Assistance Team (CAL-MAT) to ensure further safety. This team of professionals will provide continuing support for rapid field medical responses as wildfire season continues.
“We’ve been in close contact with all of the major players from the beginning,” said CPF President Brian K. Rice. “We’re committed to making sure that firefighters already putting their lives at risk fighting major fires are not also put at risk from yet another unseen threat while doing their duty.”
As we continue to face the pandemic and enter into an early wildfire season, it is imperative to log your exposures. Visit peronline.org to keep track of your exposures during this unprecedented time.