CAL FIRE TO CONDUCT LIVE-FIRE TRAINING WED. & THURS: SMOKE VISIBLE IN EAST COUNTY

June 15, 2010 (McCain Valley) -- If you see smoke rising over East County's backcountry tomorrow and Thursday, don't panic.  Cal-Fire will be conducting a “live fire” training exercise in the McCain Valley area near Boulevard approximately one mile north of Interstate 8 on June 16th and 17th. Smoke may be visible from many areas of Boulevard and the Campo Reservation as well as to those traveling on Interstate 8.

This will be the third year that CAL FIRE has presented this training at this site. Firefighters will receive instruction in safe methods of ignition and suppression.

"This hands on live fire training has proved invaluable to firefighters,  allowing them to experience the heat, smoke and stresses of a real fire under controlled conditions," said Cal-Fire battalion chief Nick Schuler.

The burn will be located at Mc Cain Valley Conservation Camp in cooperation with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Burning will start after 8:00 AM and be completed by 5:00 PM each day.