SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - Hundreds of firefighters and emergency crews from all over San Diego County came together Thursday for the 17th annual Wild Land Fire Prepardeness Drill in Alpine, an event to make sure they are all prepared for wildfire season.
Crews from as far as Imperial Valley are training on the Viejas Reservation during the three-day exercise. The drills will simulate what firefighters will deal with in a wildfire situation.
The drills include “laying hoses up the mountain, cutting brush back, simulating incidents within an incident and doing some structure protection,” said Sonny Saghera with Heartland Fire.
Over 700 firefighters will join in on the training throughout the three-day drill. This is to accommodate the three different shifts that firefighters work every day.
There are some prevention methods that homeowners can do to lower their risk of having their home catch fire.
“We always recommend 100 feet of defensible space around your house, so clear away the brush 100 feet surrounding your house,” said Saghera. “100 is great, 200 is even better.”
Fire crews also advise homeowners always to have a “Ready, Set, Go” plan in case they have to evacuate their homes in a short time.
