Ends in Southern California Sacramento - The recent rains have brought fire season 1999 to a close in Southern California. It is unusual, but not unprecedented, for one year's fire season to extend into the next calendar year. The last time this happened was when fire season 1989 ended January 15 of 1990. Previously, fire season 1980 ended January 13, 1981. This year, in Northern California, fire season ended November 9.
Fire season is simply a state of readiness.
By extending fire season, seasonal firefighters may be retained, fire stations that normally close for the winter remain staffed 24 hours per day, and dispatching and staffing levels may remain at peak. Winter staffing levels only pertain to wildfire response. Since CDF is a full service fire department, our crews will continue to respond to medical aids, search and rescues, hazardous material spills and the other emergency responses that Californians have come to expect.