CAL FIRE

10/25/2026

🌳 More trees. More shade. Healthier schoolyards.

Nearly 2.6 million California students attend schools where trees cover 5% or less of the areas where they play and spend time outdoors (according to a new EdSource analysis).

We’re helping change that. Since 2022, California has invested more than $156 million through CAL FIRE’s Green Schoolyards program, supporting projects at more than 215 campuses and helping plant thousands of trees in communities across the state.

The goal goes beyond adding shade. Greener schoolyards can reduce extreme heat, create outdoor learning spaces, and give students healthier places to learn and play.

Read more about the need and the work underway to make California schoolyards greener.

Almost half of the state’s students attend a school with hardly any tree canopy in student zones.

10/25/2026

Working on your Halloween costume?

🎃 Avoid long, trailing fabrics.
🎃 Skip loose, flowy designs.
🎃 Choose flame-resistant materials.

Candles, jack-o’-lanterns, and other open flames can easily ignite costumes. Make sure outfits fit well, don’t drag on the ground, and allow for clear vision and easy movement so everyone can enjoy a safer .

10/24/2026

🌲Take a moment. Take it all in.

Located in the Sierra Nevada, Emigrant Gap Demonstration State Forest offers a closer look at California’s forest ecosystems and the role responsible forest management plays in keeping them healthy.

CAL FIRE’s Demonstration State Forests help showcase sustainable forest management practices, support research, offer recreation, and provide opportunities for the public to learn about California’s forests firsthand.

📍 CAL FIRE NEU

10/23/2026

AwareCA gives you access to verified wildfire and emergency information directly from first responders, including incident updates, evacuation information, cameras, aircraft activity and customizable alerts.

Already using other emergency apps? Keep them in your toolkit and add AwareCA as the source for emergency information directly from first responders.

🔗 Download AwareCA and learn more: aware.ca.gov.

10/22/2026

Don’t let cooler weather fool you. 🍂

Fall has historically brought some of California’s largest and most destructive wildfires. Dry vegetation, wind, and low humidity can still create dangerous conditions.

Give your home a safety check:
🌿 Move combustible materials at least five feet from your home.
🏠 Clear leaves and debris from roofs and rain gutters.
🔥 Check that vents are ember-resistant; this means 1/16-inch to 1/8-inch corrosion-resistant, non-combustible metal mesh designed to block wind-driven fire embers and flames from entering a structure’s attic, crawl space, or eaves during a wildfire.

Cooler weather doesn’t mean the wildfire threat is over. Stay vigilant, and don’t let your guard down.

10/21/2026

Not every wildfire makes the news. Many are stopped before they have a chance to grow.

While California may be experiencing fewer wildfire starts, new fires are still igniting every day.

Over the past week, 157 new wildfires started across the state. CAL FIRE’s goal is to contain 95% of wildfires at 10 acres or less. Meeting that goal takes a fast response and decisive action before flames have a chance to spread.

📸 The Oct. 12 Rock Fire is one example CAL FIRE NEU and partner agencies responded and contained the fire at just 1.5 acres, preventing it from growing larger.

These smaller fires are a reminder of why every response matters, even when it doesn't make the headlines.

Do your part in helping first responders by creating defensible space around your property and being part of community-wide fuels reduction efforts through local organizations like Firewise Communities and Fire Safe Councils.

Track wildland fires across California at fire.ca.gov or download the AwareCA app for wildfire information directly from first responders at aware.ca.gov.

10/19/2026

🔥 What does “forward progress stopped” mean?

When firefighters say a fire’s forward progress has been stopped, it means crews have stopped the fire from continuing to spread.

It does not mean the fire is out or contained. Firefighters still have work to do.
Crews continue building and strengthening control lines, putting out hotspots, and checking the fire’s perimeter to reduce the chance of it spreading again.

Even after a fire stops advancing, firefighters may remain on scene for hours or days to make sure the fire is under control.

10/19/2026

🚒 Strengthening California’s Firefighting Workforce

Wildfire readiness starts with having the people, resources, and training to respond when it matters most.

Since 2019, California has made sustained investments in CAL FIRE’s firefighting workforce, adding year-round engine staffing, permanent positions, and relief and surge capacity to strengthen statewide readiness. These investments have helped build the Department’s largest workforce to date.

Today, CAL FIRE’s budget supports over 14,000 positions, continuing this commitment to preparedness and response.

These investments have helped:
🔥 Expand year-round engine staffing and increase relief and surge staffing.
👩‍🚒 Grow California’s firefighting workforce and strengthen response capacity.
🪓 Diversify hand-crew capacity.
🎓 Modernize firefighter training, improve access to certifications, and add three new training centers.

From the fireline to the training ground, investing in our workforce helps CAL FIRE prepare for and respond to California’s evolving wildfire threats.

10/18/2026

They’re hungry, hardworking, and helping to reduce wildfire risk.

This Southern California landowner is utilizing a CAL FIRE Wildfire Prevention Grant to put 900 goats and sheep to work to help stop future wildfires. This ABC7 story details the many benefits to the whole community.

This grant was secured with help from their local Fire Safe Council.

🐐 Watch the full story here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rtk4Fr8Tb8

CAL FIRE Office of the State Fire Marshal

shot this for Irene Cruz, KABC-TV ABC 7

10/18/2026

🌲 What happens to forest materials after they leave the forest?

During National Forest Products Week, we’re highlighting the people and projects helping put these materials to work across California.

CAL FIRE supports wood products and bioenergy projects that strengthen California’s wood products infrastructure, support healthy, resilient forests and create economic opportunities for communities.

From turning forest materials into useful products to developing new opportunities for the forest-sector workforce, this work helps keep California’s forests and communities strong.

Learn more about how this work is making a difference on the ground: https://bit.ly/CALFIRE_WPBE