Officials have prepared fire season by adding nearly 60 firefighters to CAL Fire San Diego.
An extremely dry winter prompted the 58 additional hires, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL Fire).
Fifty-five seasonal firefighters were hired for Riverside County and 41 for San Bernardino County, CAL Fire spokesperson Daniel Berlant said Tuesday.
During the last month, the department has hired and trained seasonal firefighters to bolster its full-time firefighting staff.
These firefighters will work during the next few months when fire conditions are heightened by hotter, dry weather.
This week's hiring wave is only the first round; a total of 2,400 seasonal firefighters will temporarily join the CAL Fire ranks to help support the 4,300 permanent staff members, Berlant said.
The department planned to start staffing airtankers in the region on April 22.
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CAL Fire also asks homeowners to be prepared for the fire season and have tips on their website on how to keep homes fire safe.
