SEE SMOKE TOMORROW THROUGH THURSDAY? SAN DIEGO COUNTY WILDLAND PREPAREDNESS EXERCISE APRIL 17-19

Source:  SDG&E, San Diego County Fire Chief's Association, Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians

April 16, 2019 (Alpine) - The San Diego County Fire Chiefs, in coordination with the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, will conduct their annual Wildland Fire Preparedness Exercise April 17-19, 2019. Numerous emergency service agencies from throughout San Diego County will come together to prepare for the upcoming fire season.

Regional firefighting forces will come together for training inclusive of emergency communications, firefighter survival, structure defense and hose deployments under simulated emergency conditions. Also participating in this three day training event will be the area’s firefighting aircraft. These water- dropping aircraft will join ground forces in coordinated fire attacks under simulated fire conditions. Approximately 750 firefighters will participate in the training exercises over three days. This training event is a key element in maintaining firefighter preparedness as we move into the hot, dry summer months and the region’s traditional fire season.

For the tenth year in a row, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) has provided funding for the event. The utility company is again sending line crews and utility equipment to participate in one of the training scenarios to educate first-responders on what to do if they come across downed power lines while battling a wildland fire.