Crime & Safety

Fire Season Underway in Dixon

Fire season began on June 1 in Dixon, will continue until the rains begin around November

With temperatures to soar above the 90’s this week – today’s forecast calls for 101-degree weather – the Dixon Fire Department is operating with a heightened sense of caution and awareness.

“I would say fire season is underway, this is the very beginning of fire season,” Dixon Fire Division Chief Ron Karlen said. “It’s late this year.”

Karlen said fire season began on June 1 and is expected to last until about Nov. 1, when the rains are expected to return to Dixon.

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“June 1 to November 1 is kind of our area of concern for wild land (fire) season,” Karlen said. “Those are the periods we ramp up for.”

Fire season in Dixon kicked off with a Saturday that burned 45 acres of wheat. It was the first significant fire of the season.

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During the off-season, Dixon firefighters handle roughly three to five calls a day, Karlen explained, but during fire season the call volume is expected to increase to about five to 12 calls a day.

“The rainy season has come to an end and all the grasses are starting to dry out,” he said. “The more the fuel is dried out, the easier (fires) are to start. The faster they will spread.”

Winds and low humidity also help the spread of fires. On Monday, Solano County raised the level of fire danger throughout the county to high because of winds, low humidity and hot weather.

Fire season poses challenges for firefighters Karlen said. Because of the late rains in May, much of the vegetation that was mowed before the funky weather began in Dixon has grown back.

“Now we got a new growth of grass … and so that’s going to create new layers, more layers of grass,” Karlen said.

More layers of dry grass means more fuels for fires to feed on. This year, yet another reason for concern is added. The approval of Safe and Sane fireworks will have Dixon firefighters even more vigilant of the threat of fires.

“That could be a great concern for us with the fireworks thing,” Karlen said. “They’ve always been illegal in the past and we’ve always had some fireworks happening anyways. We always tend to get one or two incidents involving fireworks. Now this year that they will be legal it will definitely increase the opportunity to have more fires.”

Karlen said the fire department is currently assembling a taskforce that will address fireworks-related issues Dixon may have.

The following are tips anyone can follow to minimize the risk of fires during fire season

  • Adhere to district burning regulations. There is a no-burn period instituted in rural areas.
  • Address any weeds around your property. Fire can spread more easily among tall weeds and grass.
  • Construct a fire barrier around your property. The Dixon Fire Department recommends clearing a 30-foot space around your house that’s free and clear of weeds and other vegetation or fuels.
  • Make sure that your home number is visible from the roadway. In the event of a fire, it makes it easier for firefighters to spot the address of your home.
  • If you do weed abatement, or other lawn work, do so early in the morning and not in the late afternoon when the wind might be blowing. Winds can easily spread fires should one erupt as it did with a recent wheat field fire in Dixon.
  • Do not use welding cutting torches, fireworks or any other item that could ignite dry brush in dry, grassy areas.
  • Do not use burn barrels to burn your trash during fire season.  


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