It appears to be a fairly mild wildfire season, so far, for Cal Fire’s Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit, although the driest weeks are still ahead. Public Information Officer Mary Eldridge says they’ve responded to 254 fires, scorching 394 acres, so far this year, with the largest blaze being 60 acres, which occurred near Wheatland. A year ago, it was 301 fires and 679 acres. She credits ample resources and personnel, along with better communication technology, for effective containment, despite the high amount of fuel, from record winter rains…

click to listen to Mary Eldridge

Eldridge says most wildfires are not deliberately caused, but she says people could be more careful…

click to listen to Mary Eldridge

The stormy winter also meant it took longer for trees and vegetation to dry out this year.