Cal Fire increased its staffing from 18 to 26 fire engines Monday with each state-funded engine covered by four firefighters.
The move comes on the heels of the recent Santa Barbara fire and the Willow Creek Fire that burned 65 acres in the San Diego County.
Firefighters say that while today isn't the official start of the "fire season"--- that the drought conditions have created a year-round threat--- and residents need to be prepared.
"As we've seen in the past two weeks fires are starting to increase. What that means to you as the homeowner is that means to have your defensible space around you home, that's that 100 feet of defensible space and have an evacuation plan for you and your family," said Capt. Nick Schuler.
Firefighters say to take advantage of the cool mornings to take care of clearing defensible space. They recommend doing it before 10 a.m. and to have a hose nearby to help prevent accidentally sparking a fire.
