By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

May 2, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) -- April and May mark the beginning of rattlesnake season which continues through the summer months. At one point or another, while hiking, golfing or depending upon where you live, you’ve probably encountered them at least one time. Unless you’re one of those odd people who seem to like getting startled by a rattler, encountering snakes is not a pleasant experience for most. But it doesn’t have to be a dangerous one. 

With temperatures heating up, there have been reports that rattlesnake sightings are on the increase. Snakes come out of their hiding places and are looking for food. So there’s plenty of reasons to be proactive and remind ourselves and others the commonsense of snake safety.

Practice these precautions:

May 22, 2013 (San Diego's East County) --As warm weather returns, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is reminding the public to be rattlesnake safe.

All of California is snake country. Much like bats, rattlesnakes are often misunderstood. They play an important role in the ecosystem by keeping rodent populations under control.