CAL FIRE
@CAL_FIRE • 496,546 subscribers
The California Department of Foresty and Fire Protection. Serving and safeguarding the people and protecting the property and resources of California.
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Videos
Seven years ago today, a wildfire sparked in Butte County and quickly grew into the Camp Fire—the deadliest wildfire in California’s history. Eighty-five lives were lost. More than 18,800 homes, schools, and businesses were destroyed, and entire neighborhoods were forever changed in a matter of hours. Today, we pause to remember those who lost their lives, the families who carry their memories forward, and the communities that continue to rebuild with strength and resilience. As we look back, we also look ahead with a shared responsibility to learn from the past and continue working to prevent such devastation from happening again. INTO THE FIRE looks back at the first hours of the Camp Fire, capturing the intensity of the response and the strength shown in the face of devastation. Watch the full documentary here: #CampFire #CALFIRE #NeverForget
CAL FIRE362,459 Aufrufe • vor 7 Monaten
If You Fly, We Can’t: A Critical Reminder from CAL FIRE 🚒 Yesterday, air operations on the Palisades Fire had to pause after a Canadian water-dropping aircraft struck a drone. This isn’t just dangerous—it puts lives, homes, and entire communities at risk. When drones are in the air, firefighting aircraft can’t do their job. Every second counts in a wildfire, and this delay could have devastating consequences. Flying a drone near a wildfire is not only reckless—it’s illegal. Let’s all do our part to ensure the skies are clear for the professionals protecting us. #IfYouFlyWeCant #WildfireSafety #CALFIRE
CAL FIRE227,297 Aufrufe • vor 1 Jahr
The #SandyFire in Ventura County has grown to more than 1,364 acres since starting yesterday morning. More than 10,000 homes are under evacuation orders, with another 3,500 under evacuation warnings in the Simi Valley area. High temperatures, drying fuels, and critical fire weather are increasing wildfire conditions across California. Fire spreads fast. Waiting to prepare is not an option. Take action now: ✅ Sign up for local emergency alerts 🛣️ Know multiple evacuation routes 🎒 Have your go-bag packed and ready to grab 📢If an evacuation order is issued, leave immediately. 🔗 Build your Wildfire Action Plan: For the latest wildfire updates, evacuation information, incident maps, and safety resources, visit #CALFIREReady #WildfireAwareness #VenturaCounty #Evacuate Ventura County Fire
CAL FIRE15,357 Aufrufe • vor 23 Tagen
🚁 #ICYMI — 75 FEET UP. MIDAIR. MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Friday morning in San Jose, a worker trimming a palm tree suffered a medical emergency suspended high above the ground. His harness held, but bringing him down safely required a different kind of response. CAL FIRE's Alma Helitack answered the call. A firefighter was lowered directly into the tree, the worker was secured, and both were brought to the ground together — more than an hour of precise, high-stakes aerial work with no margin for error. Wildfire, technical rescue, medical emergency midair — we train for the calls that don't fit a category. This is what interagency partnership looks like when it matters most. 🤝 CAL FIRE SCU San José Fire Dept. #CALFIRE #AllRisk #HelitackRescue #ProtectingCA
CAL FIRE26,083 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat
California’s snowpack is melting fast. Here’s why that matters for fire risk. An early-season heat wave is rapidly melting snow across the Sierra Nevada weeks ahead of normal. Right now, that snowmelt is helping keep vegetation moist. But less snow = earlier drying. Snowpack acts as a natural reservoir, slowly releasing water into spring and early summer. When it melts too quickly, grasses and brush dry out sooner. Experts warn that early snow loss increases the chance of earlier and longer periods of fire activity, especially if warm, dry conditions continue. What to watch for: ➤ Rapid snow loss in the Sierra ➤ Warming temperatures and wind ➤ Grasses curing earlier than normal California sees fire year-round, but these conditions can bring peak fire activity sooner. Now is the time to get ready: ➡ Clear defensible space ➡ Harden your home ➡ Make a wildfire action plan ➡ Pack a go-bag #CALFIRE #FireSafety #ReadySetGo #SierraNevada #Snowpack California Department of Water Resources
CAL FIRE39,187 Aufrufe • vor 2 Monaten
In several hours, the #ParkFire exploded from a 400-acre fire to a more than 71,000-acre inferno consuming everything in its path. Freelance videographer Tim Walton shared footage of the firefight. This incident should serve as a reminder to prepare in advance by preparing a go bag and planning two evacuation routes to escape your community. Learn what you can do to prepare at:
CAL FIRE223,681 Aufrufe • vor 1 Jahr
It’s Memorial Day weekend, California. The long weekend is here, and we want you to enjoy every second of it—safely. Remember to: 🔹 Never leave campfires or grills unattended 🔹 Secure your trailer chains and never pull over into dry grass 🔹 Use a life jacket in the water and never swim alone Have the best weekend, and remember: stay safe and spark-free. ☀️🇺🇸 #MemorialDay #SafetyTips #OneLessSpark
CAL FIRE12,235 Aufrufe • vor 20 Tagen
🚫🔥 One spark is all it takes. Every year, wildfires start from everyday activities. #CALFIRE is asking everyone to do their part: • Never park on dry grass • Secure tow chains • Use equipment like lawn mowers and weed whackers before 10 a.m.—never on hot, windy days • Follow campfire rules and bans One less spark means one less wildfire. Be safe. Be fire smart. 🔗🔗 #OneLessSpark #WildfirePrevention #FireSafety
CAL FIRE104,715 Aufrufe • vor 11 Monaten
What’s a helitack crew? 🚁 A helitack crew is a team of highly trained firefighters and their pilot who are transported by helicopter to provide rapid initial attack and assist with rescues—particularly in areas that are remote, rugged, or inaccessible by vehicle. Their aerial deployment gets them to the incident within minutes and begin suppression efforts right away. On the ground, they use hand tools, chainsaws, and other equipment to stop a fire’s spread, while the helicopter supports their efforts from above with water drops. In rescues and medical emergencies, a helitack crew can assist with emergencies in hard-to-reach locations. Firefighters are lowered down from the helicopter to provide emergency medical aid, stabilize the patient, and coordinate a safe extraction—often hoisting the individual back into the helicopter for transport to higher care. CAL FIRE operates 10 permanent and 1 cooperative Helitack Bases throughout the state, positioning these crews where they’re needed most. From air to ground, helitack crews play a critical role in our mission to protect the life, property, and natural resources of California. 🎥 Watch the Boggs Mountain Helitack Crew from CAL FIRE LNU respond to a wildfire and provide rapid initial attack. #Helitack #WildfireResponse #CALFIRE #WildlandFirefighters #FirefightingFromAbove
CAL FIRE92,523 Aufrufe • vor 9 Monaten
CAL FIRE is battling multiple wildfires across Southern California. Just ten days into 2025, there have been more than 90 wildfires. Here is a summary of the major fires burning in Southern California, including the #PalisadesFire, #EatonFire and #KennethFire For the latest fire updates visit:
CAL FIRE116,169 Aufrufe • vor 1 Jahr
Why do so many fires seem to grow rapidly on windy days? Watch this Reel to learn about the role of wind on wildfires and why preparation is key during fire season. ➡️One less spark equals one less wildfire #WildfireAwareness #CALFIRE #StaySafe #PalisadesFire #CAwx #EastonFire
CAL FIRE112,542 Aufrufe • vor 1 Jahr
“It was big enough to get really worried about it.” In 2025, the Bonanza Fire burned right up to Jim Ferguson’s property. He was told by fire crews that the roads cut in around his home and trimmed landscape lent to not only his home’s survival, but the ability for them to fight the fire. Jim’s property shows what’s possible over time, but keep in mind that defensible space isn’t about perfection or doing it all at once. It’s about starting where you are and building from there. It’s a work in progress, and every step you take makes a real difference. 📹️ Full video at: #DefensibleSpace #Zone0 #WorkInProgress #CALFIRE
CAL FIRE14,473 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat
Fire doesn't stop at borders. Neither do we. 🌍 As climate conditions grow more extreme and fire behavior becomes more unpredictable, the need for global collaboration has never been greater. CAL FIRE's International Program exists for that reason — to build the partnerships, share the expertise, and raise the standard of wildfire response worldwide. Fire agencies from across the globe come to California to train alongside our personnel, study what we do, and learn from one of the most active and advanced wildfire response systems in the world. And we learn from them too. Every exchange makes us better. On International Firefighters’ Day, we recognize the men and women who dedicate their lives to this work. In every country, in every language, on every fire line. #CALFIRE #Wildfire #InternationalFirefightersDay #Collaboration #FireService
CAL FIRE13,699 Aufrufe • vor 1 Monat
The The California Military Department is playing a critical role in combating the devastating wildfires in Southern California. They've deployed 11 rotary-wing aircraft and the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) to assist with air operations, providing vital support to firefighting efforts. Want to dive deeper into the incredible aviation resources used to battle wildfires? Check out the #CALFIRE Aviation Recognition Guide #AerialFirefighting #aviation #Military
CAL FIRE88,545 Aufrufe • vor 1 Jahr
Firefighters deeply appreciate the outpouring of donation offers, but we currently aren’t in need. Our hearts go out to the thousands of Los Angelenos evacuated, many of whom have lost their homes and belongings. 💔 Watch this inspiring video about incredible community efforts to support those affected. 💪🔥 To find out how you can help or to volunteer visit: #LAfires #WildfireRelief #LAstrong
CAL FIRE86,025 Aufrufe • vor 1 Jahr