ST. HELENA, Calif. – The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection's (Cal Fire) Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit is formally declaring fire season on Monday, June 20, 2011.

On Monday, the unit will staff a fire engine at each of its 20 fire stations, as well as three bulldozers, 11 fire crews and one helicopter.

The Sonoma Air Attack Base will be opened for reloading air tankers. On July 1, one air tactical plane and two air tankers will arrive at the air attack base to begin the 2011 fire season.

The Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit will enter into the peak staffing period on Monday, July 4, with all firefighting equipment staffed and ready for emergency response.

At peak staffing the unit has a total of 31 wildland fire engines, six bulldozers, 11 fire crews, one helicopter, two air tankers and one air tactical plane.

To meet the staffing needs for fire season, the Cal Fire Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit augments its permanent workforce with approximately 200 seasonal firefighters.

Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit Chief Tim Streblow reminds residents while maintaining their defensible space to use caution when mowing.

Each year mowing and equipment caused fires rank in the top five fire causes for the Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit.

Chief Streblow urges residents to mow early in the day to avoid high temperatures and windy conditions. Ensure your mower is set at a height high enough to avoid hitting rocks with the blade. Most mowing caused fires result from a spark cast into dry grass when the blade strikes a rock.

For more information on defensible space and safe practices for mowing residents can go to Cal Fire's Web site at www.fire.ca.gov or contact their nearest Cal Fire facility.

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