CalFire: High fire danger this weekend

OAKLAND, Calif. (KTVU) - The hot temperatures, low humidity, and possibility of winds expected this weekend pose the threat of a high fire danger.

Cal Fire said the four most destructive fires in California history have happened during the fall months of September and October, such as the Oakland Hills fire in 1991.

Cal Fire Battalion Chief Michael Marcucci said crews are still battling the Soberanes Fire north of Big Sur. Despite the long hours, they are ready for any new fires that may spark.

“We’re at our peak fire staffing right now, but for this weekend we’ve added some extra of our hand crews, for example our delta camp,” Marcucci said. “We’re also holding all of our bulldozers, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to deal with that extra fire danger.”

He said crews will be keeping a close eye on places like the hills around Mt. Diablo where dry brush surrounds home in the community of Clayton.

“We try to take some common sense prevention efforts and do some defensible space like make sure the weeds are cut back,” Mike Wells, a Clayton resident, said.

The area saw a destructive fire called the Morgan Fire in 2013.

“I just remember you could see it from this side of town,” Rachael Porter, a resident, said. “It’s scary to have it right there in your backyard.”

Marcucci said homeowners still have time to clear out debris, create a line of defensible space, or re-cut vegetation that may have grown since the spring.

He said no red flag warnings are in effect, but that is subject to change at any time.