News Releases

State and Local Fire Agencies to Conduct Prescribed Burn of 50 Acres near Vacaville Prison

Multi-agency exercise to provide weed abatement, wildfire deterrent and training opportunities

WHAT: The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, in conjunction with several other Northern California state and local entities, are notifying the public and local media of a joint training and controlled burn exercise near California State Prison, Solano (SOL).

The prescribed burn is planned to mitigate a wildland fire hazard adjacent to state institutions and thousands of local homes. The exercise will create a firebreak for SOL.

The two-day project will also provide an important training opportunity for local and mutual aid partners statewide to become certified in wildland firefighting. Multiple agencies will be participating in a CA-219 Firing Operations class and will receive certifications after they have completed the training.

Incarcerated firefighters from Delta Conservation Camp and the California Medical Facility/California State Prison, Solano Fire Department will be assisting with the prescribed burn. Participating incarcerated firefighters have recently completed the basic courses required to work as a wildland firefighter. These courses were provided by the Vacaville City Fire Department Training Division.

WHO:        

  • CAL FIRE Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit
  • California Medical Facility and California State Prison-Solano Fire Staff
  • City of Vacaville Fire Staff
  • Vacaville Fire Protection District Staff
  • Solano County Fire Agencies
  • CDCR Facility Planning, Construction and Management-Environmental Unit
  • Incarcerated firefighters from Delta Conservation Camp and CMF Fire

WHEN: Wednesday, June 24 – Thursday, June 25 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. All times are approximate pending project prescription parameters.

The conclusion of the work day is determined when CDCR fire officials declare all areas of the day’s burn to be cooled. Prescribed burns will not take place if the proper conditions and criteria cannot be met.

WHERE: Fifty acres of state-owned hillside property directly behind CSP-Solano.

INFO: Prescribed burns are a major part of the California ecosystem to eliminate the build-up of hazardous fuel conditions that threaten homes, resources and wildlife. Re-introducing fire to the landscape not only provides fire-safe neighborhoods, but also helps return native plant and wildlife species to their natural environment. All state laws and permitting in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) are being followed to include coordination with Bay Area and Solano County Air Quality Districts

FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES

Contact: Lt. Luis Gomez (707) 454-3257

map of Vacaville CA with a small red 'prescribed burn zone' on the bottom right corner of the map.