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The CAL FIRE HFEO Academy instructs and evaluates HFEO students on the performance of heavy equipment fire protection training and wildland fire suppression, as well as conducting training for fuels reduction in various landscapes.
Training will occur at the New Hogan VMP site, which includes three fuels reduction units owned by multiple landowners. The location provides excellent topography and vegetation to conduct field training exercises for this academy. The VMP area was selected for fuels treatment due to its proximity to densely populated areas between State Highway 26 and New Hogan Reservoir in Rancho Calaveras. Additionally, the VMP area contains a high density of chaparral species of which much of the brush exceeds six feet in height. An added benefit to using heavy equipment during this training is a reduction of these fuels, decreasing the threat of damaging wildfires to the residential subdivisions adjacent to the VMP. The result of the project will be the treatment of approximately 500 acres, completed predominantly in cooperation with the CAL FIRE HFEO Academy.
Training is scheduled to begin at 7:30 A.M. and conclude by 5:00 P.M. Monday-Friday, except for a two-week period to accommodate for nighttime operations training; at which time training will conclude by 10:00 P.M. The public may observe dust or hear equipment during these times in the Rancho Calaveras area.
For additional information on preparing for and preventing wildfires visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org.
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Source: CAL FIRE