One Less Spark, One Less Wildfire

The One Less Spark, One Less Wildfire campaign has reached southern California and the CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit is all in.  What is this campaign you might ask, well here's the answer.  The goal of this effort is to reduce property loss and the threat to residents and firefighters by reducing some targeted causes of wildfires.  To aide in that effort, a CAL FIRE cover engine from the Madera, Mariposa, Merced Unit participated in the shooting of campaign Public Service Announcements yesterday.  The video shoot was conducted at the United States Forest Service's Technology and Development Center in San Dimas, California.

Careless equipment use can spark a wildland fire

Waiting for the director

Not exactly what you expect on a cover assignment

 CAL FIRE was one of many agencies there to support this important statewide fire prevention effort.  The PSA's focused in the goals of the campaign which is to reduce wildland fires ignited by equipment usage, vehicle caused wildland fires, and escaped debris fires.  Smokey Bear and Sparky the Fire Dog were there doing their best to help get the message out.  Actress Betty White has also volunteered to appear in the PSA's although the veteran actress was not at the facility.

This is a statewide interagency campaign much like the Ready-Set-Go program.  You will hear the phrase "ALL LANDS, ALL VOICES" throughout this campaign as every agency works to reduce human caused wildfires in California. The campaign has come about through the efforts and support of the U.S. Forest Service Region 5 Fire and Aviation Staff working with the California Wildfire Coordinating Group. For more information about 'One Less Spark, One Less Wildfire" go to; http://www.preventwildfireca.org/

All together..."One Less Spark, One Less Wildfire"

CAL FIRE at the Fair

Day 5 of the San Bernardino County Fair in Victorville, California began with winds gusting to 25 miles an hour.  The winds pushed dust across the area and served as a reminder about the potential for wildfire.  With fire equipment from the San Bernardino Unit assisting on fires in other areas, a strike team of fire engines again spent the day in the San Bernardino Unit supplying support.


This Madera/Mariposa/Merced strike team had been in the San Diego Unit on the fire there before coming to the San Bernardino Unit.  Like the previous day, the strike team showed up at the San Bernardino County Fair.  Once again fair goers were able to see up close and personal what CAL FIRE is all about.

Young man is assisted out of the cab after getting to see the inside of a real fire engine

The firefighters jumped right in, talking to visitors and showing off their engines to young and old alike.  They also helped in the CAL FIRE booth in Smokey Bear Park, answering questions and asking fire prevention and safety questions to the young people who wanted to spin the CAL FIRE fire prevention wheel.  The MMM firefighters along with San  Bernardino Unit firefighters took Smokey Bear around the fair where he made many new friends.

Smokey Bear and friends head out for a walk about around the fair

Thank you to the firefighters and leaders of the Madera/Mariposa/Merced Unit strike team.  They showed once again that CAL FIRE can travel anywhere in the state, and work together with other CAL FIRE members to accomplish a common goal whether it is fighting fire or working public fire safety events.

Have you got your Smokey on?

Fire engine Disneyland for fair goers

Yesterday, Tuesday, May 28, 2013 was the fourth day of the San Bernardino County Fair in Victorville, California.  The public service area of the fair called Smokey Bear Park had some special visitors.  A CAL FIRE strike team of fire engines (strike teams consist of 5 engines and a strike team leader) from the San Mateo/Santa Cruz area stopped by to lend a hand.



Captain Tony Jones explaining what CAL FIRE does at the fair to the San Mateo/Santa Cruz Firefighters



Looking from the entrance of Smokey Bear Park at two CAL FIRE engines infront of the CAL FIRE booth

The strike team had been in San Diego assisting the CAL FIRE Unit there in covering some of their stations in place of the regular crews who had been involved in fighting a wildland fire there.  This is one of the abilities of CAL FIRE, to move resources from one area to another to meet operational needs.

Flo the Clown stopped by to see what was going on and spent some time with the Firefighters

Because of the highwinds and low humidities in the Inland Empire and High Desert areas, the strike team which had been released from San Diego was repositioned in the San Bernardino Unit in case a fire broke out. The strike team had been positioned at the Phelan Fire Station and came over to the fair to help.

Two of the San Mateo/Santa Crus engines infront of the CAL FIRE booth

This is the only time in the history of the CAL FIRE presence at the fair that so many fire engines have been available for the public to see and learn about.  During their time at the fair, the crews assisted in the CAL FIRE booth sharing fire prevention information as well as providing the public with guided tours around their fire engines.  They also took Smokey Bear on a tour of the fair much to the enjoyment of children and adults alike.

The CAL FIRE engines saying good bye to fair goers as they left

The San Bernardino Unit says thank you to the CAL FIRE firefighters from San Mateo/Santa Cruz for jumping in and helping the fair going public to learn more about CAL FIRE and fire safety.  The six fire engines (one was from the San Bernardino Unit) were a fantastic draw and served to display CAL FIRE at its best. 

CAL FIRE goes to the Fair

Today is day three of the San Bernardino County Fair in Victorville, California.  The CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit has been participating at the fair for more than 30 years.  For the last 15 years, the CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit has been the coordinator for Smokey Bear Park. This is an area where the fair allows public service organizations and governmental agencies to provide public information at no cost.

Entrance to Smokey Bear Park

This year, besides CAL FIRE, there is Narcotics Anonymous, Victor Valley Ham Radio Club, High Desert Homeless, Civil Air Patrol, Military Kids and San Bernardino County Victim Witness.

Fair goers stopping to look at the CAL FIRE engine before entering Smokey Bear Park

CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit's booth

Fire Prevention Education Wheel next to Smokey's Five Rules

Safety Information wall

CAL FIRE photo wall

 The fair runs daily through next Sunday, June 2nd

The restoration of the Hesperia Forestry Fire Station Smokey Bear Sign

The CALFIRE Hesperia Forestry Fire Station was closed and forgotten for many years, and as time moved on the Infamous Smokey Bear fire sign remained as a reminder of California’s fire danger. The Church that now occupies the facility approached CAL FIRE in regards to a potential restoration of the sign which had long since faded and showed signs of neglect. Fenner Canyon Conservation Camp gladly accepted the challenge and, under the direction of Fire Captain Mike Jennings, Crew #6 completed the makeover of the sign with new lumber (as needed) and a fresh coat of paint. Smokey Bear was repaired and free hand art work reapplied by crew members. 

For the short time Smokey Bear was under repair, many noticed his absence including longtime residents and firefighters that had worked at the Hesperia Station. Once again, Smokey Bear is refurbished and standing guard again.

Smokey Bear and the 4th of July

For the third consecutive year The CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit was asked to provide Smokey Bear for the City of Rosemead's 4th of July Parade. Smokey, as popular as any celebrity posed with several people before he even hit the parade route. Parade watchers called Smokey's Name and waved to him as he traveled the one and a half mile parade route. Smokey has become a popular part of the Rosemead 4th of July parade.

Smokey posing with the ladies of Disneyland

Smokey hi-fives with Ronald McDonald

Smokey on the parade route

Smokey Bear helps to open Green City Fair

CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit's Smokey Bear was on hand to help open the second annual Green City Fair in Beverly Hills. Saturday, May 5th was a great day to show the residents of Los Angeles and Beverly Hills the importance of urban forests and how to effectively recycle.Smokey Bear was on stage with Andy Lipkis, the founder of Tree People who put on the event. There was something for everybody interested in protecting the environment. The event was held at Coldwater Canyon Park located on Mulholland Drive. Yes, Smokey was really in the land of 90210...

There were a variety of workshops and how to speakers for adults and children and Smokey was as popular as ever with just as many adults as kids wanting their picture taken with him. All in all, a great day for learning, education and making new friends.

Fire Safety at Chick-fil-A

CAL FIRE firefighters and Smokey Bear were the guests at the Chick-fil-A family night on Tuesday, September 20, 2011. Located near the Ontario Mills Mall, the Chick-fil-A had requested members of the CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit to present a fire safety program to residents of the community that had been invited to attend. The crowd was small but the children were eager to learn and meet Smokey. After learning about calling 9-1-1 for emergencies and how to Stop-Drop-Roll, and Cover if their clothes caught on fire, they were ready for the big moment. After learning Smokey Bear's fire prevention rules, the Big Bear made his appearance.

However, the evening was just getting started. After the program, the children and their parents were invited to go outside and get up close and personal with CAL FIRE engine 3559. The crew, Captain Rob Thompson and firefighters Rollofson and Vick answered questions and displayed equipment. The best moment for the kids came when they got to use a hard line fire hose to squirt water.

Smokey WOW's em at Rosemead's 4th of July parade

It was your typical home town Fourth of July parade in the City of Rosemead, California and for the second consecutive year, Smokey Bear was there. The CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit was honored to support Rosemead's 4th of July parade by providing America's all time fire prevention symbol. This year as last year, Smokey was played by VIP Jason Lannon. There were many animated figures in the parade, but the shouts were reserved for Smokey.



Smokey pulling out onto the parade route.



A real hometown hero

Letter of Appreciation: