SACRAMENTO -- Fire season came a month early this year, and, citing climate change, Gov. Jerry Brown said Monday that Californians must be prepared to become accustomed to it.
"Our climate is changing. The weather is becoming more intense," Brown said at a news conference at Cal Fire's aviation facility. "Fire season has grown over the last four years. It's gotten longer and larger."
Saying the federal government has done little to slow the buildup of greenhouse gases that scientists say contributes to climate change, Brown said the state has to be prepared for long-term changes.
"The big issue: How do we adapt?" he said. "Adapting is going to be very, very expensive."
Monday's event had been scheduled months ago to mark the beginning of an annual state Wildfire Awareness Week, but this year the arrival of awareness week came as Californians were aware that wildfire season was upon them.
The 28,000-acre Springs Fire in Camarillo is the largest of 1,100 wildfires that have flared in the state this year.
"It's time to prepare your home for wildfires. The time was actually yesterday," said Cal Fire Director Ken Pimlott.
Pimlott said the number of wildfires this year is nearly double the average for early May. From January through May 2 -- the day the Springs Fire began -- nearly 23,000 acres had burned statewide, more than 10 times the total at the same point last year.
Emergency fire suppression costs from the state's general fund have topped $220 million in four of the past six fiscal years. This fiscal year, $221 million has been spent, with eight weeks remaining.
In only two of the past 10 years has the amount budgeted for emergency fire suppression covered the costs, Finance Department figures show. The annual amount budgeted has climbed to $93 million this year from $55 million in 2001-02.
Natural Resources Secretary John Laird said that because of the importance of public safety the state will spend whatever is necessary.
"We will do whatever it takes to fight the fires," he said.
Because the final snow survey measured statewide snowpack water content at 17 percent of normal and the National Weather Service identified nearly all of California as having greater than normal potential for large fires this year, Laird said, state officials authorized Cal Fire to increase its staffing for fire season on April 15, a month ahead of schedule.
On Monday, the Cal Fire airfield that in the spring would customarily be housing most of the department's fleet of 50 airplanes and helicopters was nearly empty, as they have been sent to fires around the state.
Gen. David Baldwin, commander of the California National Guard, said his troops are ready to provide any help needed.
"We're prepared for a long haul over the summer," he said.
The annual awareness week is designed to tell homeowners about the importance of maintaining 100 feet of defensible space around their homes and hardening them with fire-resistant materials. The agency has an informational website, ReadyforWildfire.org.
"At the end of the day, you are our best defense," said Mark Ghilarducci, secretary of the Emergency Management Agency.
As Brown left the news conference, a reporter asked whether he had any plans to visit the fire site in Ventura County.
"I can't tell you today," he said as he walked away.
(c)2013 Ventura County Star (Camarillo, Calif.)
Visit Ventura County Star (Camarillo, Calif.) at www.vcstar.com
Distributed by MCT Information Services
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.