With Threat of Major Flooding, Cal OES Prepositions Critical Resources Near Burn Scar Areas, Impacted Counties

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With another round of storms resuming today across the state, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is strategically prepositioning critical firefighting resources and personnel near burn scar areas and in communities with potential for major flooding.

The prepositioned resources include:

Prepositioned at El Dorado Hills Fire Department: OES: Bakersfield City Fire Department Swift Water Rescue TF11

Santa Barbara County (Thomas/Alisal/Cave Burn Scars): 1 Local Government Excavator, 1 Local Government Loader, 1 Local Government Road Grader

Lake County (August Complex Burn Scar): 1 Local Government Engine Type 2, 1 Local Government Engine Type 6, 2 Local Government IMT Overhead

Sonoma County (Tubbs/Glass/August Burn Scars): 3 Local Government Engines Type 3, 2 Local Government Engines Type 6, 4 Dispatchers, 4 Local Government IMT Overhead, 1 Local Government Helicopter, 2 Local Government Swift Water Rescue Teams, 2 Local Government Loader with Transport

Monterey County: 1 Local Government Engine Task Force; 1 Type 1 Engine, 3 Type 3 Engines, 2 Type 6 Engines, 8 Local Government IMT Overhead

Butte County: 1 Local Government Swift Water Rescue Team, 2 Local Government IMT Overhead, 1 Dispatcher

Sacramento County: XSA: 5 OES Engines Type 3, 2 Local Government Helicopters, 4 Dispatchers, 14 Local Government IMT Overhead, 1 OES Swift Water Rescue, 1 Local Government US&R Company

Stanislaus County: 3 Local Government Engines Type 3, 1 Local Government Loader with Transport, 1 Local Government Dispatcher, 16 Local Government IMT Overhead

The National Weather Service is forecasting widespread heavy rainfall for large portions of the state with concerns for debris flows from recent burn scars and potential for major flooding. The heaviest rainfall begins Sunday and extends into Tuesday.

The public is urged to be on the lookout for potential flooding and mudslides in areas recently burned by wildfires. A debris flow can take homes off their foundations and carry items such as vegetation, large boulders, and cars. If you live near or downslope of burn areas, you should have a plan to quickly evacuate your community if flash flooding or a mudslide were to happen. Learn more about being flood aware here.

For more from Cal OES, visit CalOES.ca.gov and follow us on Twitter @Cal_OES.