Redlands Fire Dept. Boosts Wildfire Prevention

0:00The Redlands Fire Department is stepping up its wildfire prevention game big time, drawing lessons from last year's massive Eaton and Palisades fires, plus the nearby line fire in 2024. They're using a statewide community wildfire protection plan tailored to their city, backed by a yearly budget of about $1.1 million. This year, they've already treated 80 acres of land, up from 63 last year, focusing on clearing brush and vegetation that could spark. Disasters. They're rebuilding old partnerships to cover more ground, like teaming up with Cal Fire's Conservation Cance program, which brings in crews from corrections to help with vegetation management along key roads. The Redlands Conservancy is jumping in too, offering education on the city's natural spots, and spotting unofficial trails for better awareness. Firefighters stress that prevention is just as crucial as putting out blazes, and folks often overlook the hard work keeping fire small. Captain Dustin Whitaker points out how reports from past fires lead to smarter strategies, while fire marshal Vincent Anderson highlights the grind of getting shovels, axes, and weed eaters into the field.

1:09New tech is a game changer this year. A camera went up in November 2024 in the Helen Court area to watch high-risk zones with another. Coming at Redlands Airport. They're also using mapping software from Esri to track fuel reduction in plan ahead, plus posting signs at 18 Trailhead soon. All this shows the department's push for smarter, faster ways to shield the community as fire season heats up, blending old school labor with fresh. Tools to stay one step ahead. From your city, powered by AI. This is California News Today. I'm Corey with The Story.