Communication saves lives.

Without it, emergency personnel can’t share critical information about fire conditions or safety threats. That’s where CAL FIRE’s Mobile Communications Centers (MCCs) come in.

Recently, the 2025 Statewide Mobile Command Center training took place in San Luis Obispo County to ensure our MCC staff are ready to deploy at a moment’s notice. These rapid-response units act as communication hubs during major incidents.

Inside each MCC, Radio Operators monitor traffic, relay messages, and coordinate with local Emergency Command Centers. Each MCC is staffed with Technical Specialists who manage setup, equipment, and communications inventory. There are currently six MCCs stationed throughout California, ready to support CAL FIRE operations statewide.

Swipe through to see a behind-the-scenes look at our training.

#NPSTWCAL FIRE San Luis Obispo Unit

On Saturday evening, CAL FIRE Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit firefighters from the Kelsey-Cobb station responded to a residential fire where they discovered two dogs were trapped inside the home.

With no time to waste, the firefighters immediately worked to control the flames while securing the dogs’ safety. Using specialized dog rescue masks, they administered oxygen to the pets, and within moments, their conditions began to improve. Thanks to the quick actions and teamwork of the crew, the dogs were safely reunited with their owner.

Great work, proving again CAL FIRE’s commitment to protecting lives, both human and furry! 👏

The CAL FIRE Training Academy employs a comprehensive approach to firefighter training, emphasizing preparation for fire control challenges.

The curriculum focuses on structural firefighting, guiding participants through a structured learning process from classroom theory to hands-on application via small and full-scale demonstrations. The training covers essential skills, emphasizing not only combating existing fires but also anticipating and addressing potential hazards. This holistic approach ensures that CAL FIRE personnel are well-prepared to handle immediate threats and employ preemptive firefighting strategies, including understanding smoke dynamics. #firefightertraining #structuralfirefighting #JoinCALFIRE https://www.facebook.com/GVitkosPress

This 67-foot Red Fir now stands in front of the California State Capitol Building as the state Christmas tree. The tree’s journey to Sacramento began the day before at LaTour Demonstration State Forest, east of Redding.

Look out for more on the journey, decoration, and selection of the state tree in future posts. #christmastrees #california #forestry https://www.facebook.com/GVitkosPress

When a northern California couple with a baby on the way couldn’t make it to the hospital this morning, CAL FIRE Santa Clara Unit personnel stepped up. Realizing they couldn’t make it to the hospital, the couple decided the nearest fire station would be their next best alternative.

The parents, traveling from Los Banos, pulled into the Pacheco Station in Hollister off Highway 152 around 6:30 a.m. after the mother began to experience contractions. Firefighters and engineers took immediate action, safely delivering the baby and providing essential care to both the mother and the newborn. The delivery proceeded smoothly with no complications, and a healthy baby boy was born at 7:04 a.m. This is a prime example of how CAL FIRE’s team responds to all manner of emergencies, ensuring the well-being of the community. https://www.facebook.com/GVitkosPress

The Governor’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force has launched the beta version of an Interagency Treatment Dashboard for landscape resilience projects in California. CAL FIRE Director and Fire Chief Joe Tyler highlights the dashboard’s significance in enhancing California’s wildfire resilience efforts and providing valuable insights for first responders. https://www.yourcentralvalley.com/news/local-news/ca-launches-one-of-its-kind-dashboard-to-track-wildfire-resilience-projects/ https://www.facebook.com/GVitkosPress

September brings National Preparedness Month into focus, highlighting the urgency of readiness regardless of the time of year. In the face of ever-present all-hazard events, it’s crucial to prioritize the safety of our older adults, particularly those from communities disproportionately affected by these challenges. Many factors increase their vulnerability, including living alone, low-income status, disabilities, or residence in rural areas.

Let’s come together to ensure their protection by helping them assemble emergency supply kits containing essentials like food, water, and first aid items. CAL FIRE stands committed to raising awareness about preparedness and fostering strong and resilient communities. https://www.facebook.com/GVitkosPress

CAL FIRE Siskiyou Unit Crews preparing to go out on the line on the Happy Camp Complex. #CALFIRESKU2023 https://www.facebook.com/GVitkosPress

CAL FIRE employs innovative new technologies to accomplish our mission to protect California’s natural resources.

We recently demonstrated our rapidly deployable mini-cell phone tower to members of the state Legislature as part of the AT&T FirstNet Emergency Communications Showcase.

Produced by FirstNet, the compact device provides 2 miles of cellular range and Wi-Fi within 500 feet.

CAL FIRE has four units ready to be used with deployed Emergency Command Centers across California.

#technews#emergency#Connectivity

At this moment, more than 6,500 committed individuals are fighting against 10 significant wildfires across California. These firefighters are putting in continuous efforts to manage the fires and reduce their impact on the environment and the public.

To stay informed about the latest updates on these ongoing wildfires, you can visit: https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents

Join the CAL FIRE mascot Captain Cal in saying “Happy 79th Birthday” to Smokey Bear. That’s a lot of years of reminding people that only YOU can prevent forest fires. But Cal’s friend Smokey is showing no signs of slowing down. #SmokeyBear #ReadyforWildfire #CalFire

Learn more about Smokey and how he came to be: https://tinyurl.com/yc88b5aj

In July, CAL FIRE responded to a total of 48,931 calls, bringing the total responses through July 2023 to 311,037. Despite the increase in wildland fire calls across the state, approximately 75% of all CAL FIRE’s responses are related to medical calls.

CAL FIRE is a full-service, „all-risk” department, which means we are capable of responding to a wide range of emergencies, including wildland and structure fires, vehicle accidents, medical aids, rescues, floods, hazardous material spills, and more. We operate within the well-established Incident Command System (ICS) framework, which allows for the effective management of disaster events through four phases: Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery. #AllRisk#AllHazard

#RidgeFire near the 15000 block – Fawn Ridge Road, French Gulch, Ca in Shasta County is 28 acres and 75% contained. CAL FIRE Shasta-Trinity Unit/Shasta County Fire Department

https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2023/8/4/ridge-fire

#RidgeFire near the 15000 block – Fawn Ridge Road, French Gulch, Ca in Shasta County is 20 acres and 40% contained. CAL FIRE Shasta-Trinity Unit/Shasta County Fire Department https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2023/8/4/ridge-fire

https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2023/8/4/ridge-fire

Since the 1960s, the iconic doll Barbie has enjoyed many careers. She’s been an astronaut, Olympian, a surgeon, and starting in 1995, a firefighter. Bonus points for wearing protective gear, but keep that hair away from flames, girl. Women or men interested in joining CAL FIRE should start here: https://www.fire.ca.gov/join-calfire #WomenInFire #Barbie #Firefighter #Empowerment

Yesterday was a productive day at the UC San Diego Supercomputer Lab meeting with The New York Times on #CALFIRE‘s partnership with ALERTCalifornia. Together, we’re harnessing the power of #artificialintelligence to detect anomalies and enhance our #wildfire detection efforts. This collaboration is just one example of how we’re adapting to the ongoing threat of wildfires in California. Stay tuned for more exciting updates!

This week’s #CALFIREClassic takes us back to the turn of the century for a historical look at the saddle and its importance to firefighting. The saddle pictured, circa 1930s, was made by Carmel Saddlery in Fresno, a producer of tack from 1916 until the shop closed in the early 1970s. The saddle was reportedly first used in the Tulare Ranger Unit as part of their pack train program. The saddle, and others like it were used to pack supplies—and in some cases water—into incidents that were not accessible by motor vehicles. On one occasion, it was used to help Smokey get through a 1950s parade in the city of Clovis, CA. Through the years the saddle changed locations a time or two, was refurbished, and is now on display in the CDF branch museum at the CAL FIRE/Fresno County Fire Unit,

New Incident: #QuailFire near Quail Canyon Rd and Pleasents Valley Rd, southwest of Winters in Solano County is 110 acres. CAL FIRE Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2022/5/21/quail-fire/

#QuailFire near Quail Canyon Rd and Pleasents Valley Rd, southwest of Winters in Solano County is 135 acres and 45% contained. CAL FIRE Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit https://fire.ca.gov/incidents/2022/5/21/quail-fire/

#111Fire near Highway 111 and Parkside Dr., South of City of Coachella in Riverside County is 15 acres and 100% contained. CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2022/4/30/111-fire/

#PlatinaFire near Platina Road and Nona Road, Southwest of Redding in Shasta County is 10 acres and 70% contained. CAL FIRE Shasta-Trinity Unit https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2022/4/27/platina-fire/

New Incident: #PlatinaFire near Platina Road and Nona Road, Southwest of Redding in Shasta County is 10 acres. CAL FIRE Shasta-Trinity Unit https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2022/4/27/platina-fire/

Surf Report 4/16: 2-3′ + Thigh to stomachLingering SSW swell blends with minor NW energy, still largest at spots exposed to the Southern Hemi energy. Take advantage of the tide push in the early morning. fire.lacounty.gov/lifeguard

Today we remember Joseph “Ed” Hunter, a CAL FIRE Forest Ranger Chauffeur who passed away on April 2, 1932, two days after he was struck by an exploding water heater while responding to a house fire. We are thankful for his service. #LODD #NotForgotten

#WhitlowFire off East Bear and Bear Lake Rd, northwest of Pondosa in Siskiyou County is 10 acres and 100% contained. CAL FIRE Siskiyou Unit https://fire.ca.gov/incidents/2022/3/25/whitlow-fire/

#WhitlowFire off East Bear and Bear Lake Rd, northwest of Pondosa in Siskiyou County is 10 acres and 60% contained. CAL FIRE Siskiyou Unit https://fire.ca.gov/incidents/2022/3/25/whitlow-fire/

#WhitlowFire off East Bear and Bear Lake Rd, northwest of Pondosa in Siskiyou County is 10 acres and 50% contained. CAL FIRE Siskiyou Unit https://fire.ca.gov/incidents/2022/3/25/whitlow-fire/

New Incident #WhitlowFire off East Bear and Bear Lake Rd, northwest of Pondosa in Siskiyou County is 10 acres and 30% contained. CAL FIRE Siskiyou Unit https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2022/3/25/whitlow-fire/

CAL FIRE recently announced that California accomplished a new record with the recognition of the 500th Firewise USA® Community in California – Hollister Ranch in Santa Barbara County. The recognition by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) highlights the fact that the community has taken steps to ensure that wildfire risk is reduced in their area. While California has held the highest amount of Firewise Communities nationwide for quite some time, the state has now set a new record with 500 Firewise USA® recognized communities. To learn more, visit https://www.fire.ca.gov/media/iiik0qyc/firewise-communities-news-release_2022-draft-3-21-2022.pdf

Extrication equipment is hydraulic, electric, pneumatic, or battery-operated specialty equipment primarily used to cut and manipulate vehicles after accidents to remove victims and minimize any additional injuries. This type of equipment is one of many tools that CAL FIRE uses in its rescue and recovery efforts. #ToolsOfTheTrade #ExtricationEquipment

Smokey Bear: On today’s International Day of Forests , I’m asking my friends across the country to help me „keep the peace” in our nation’s beautiful forests by being careful and practicing fire safety at all times. Let’s make sure our trees are still there for future generations of outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy. #OnlyYou

Today is the first day of #spring! As the days get longer, it is the perfect time to get outdoors to start planning and maintaining the #DefensibleSpace around your home. By removing all dead vegetation and trimming trees and shrubs, you can create a buffer essential to increasing your home’s chance of surviving a wildfire. Learn more at http://www.readyforwildfire.org/Defensible-Space/ #ReadyForWildfire 20/03/22

#HollisterFire off Hollister Ranch Road and Del Norte Road, southwest of Solvang in Santa Barbra County is 120 acres and 90% contained. https://fire.ca.gov/incidents/2022/3/12/hollister-fire/

INCIDENT FINAL: #EvergreenFire near Evergreen Lane & Hwy 97, northeast of Weed in Siskiyou County is 12 acres and 100% contained. CAL FIRE Siskiyou Unit https://fire.ca.gov/incidents/2022/3/12/evergreen-fire/

#HollisterFire off Hollister Ranch Road and Del Norte Road, southwest of Solvang in Santa Barbra County is 100 acres and 70% contained. @CAL_FIRE https://fire.ca.gov/incidents/2022/3/12/hollister-fire/

CAL FIRE Law Enforcement Officers have made 23 arson-related arrests to date in 2022. Preventing fires is a vital part of CAL FIRE’s mission. Call the Arson Hotline at 800-468-4408 with information about suspicious fires. You can remain anonymous. #ArsonPrevention https://www.fire.ca.gov/media/zu3a42z1/arson-stats-2022.pdf

#HollisterFire off Hollister Ranch Road and Del Norte Road, southwest of Solvang in Santa Barbra County is 100 acres and 50% contained. CAL FIREhttps://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2022/3/12/hollister-fire/

#GulchFire near Dorris Brownell Road & East Butte Valley Road, southeast of Dorris in Siskiyou County is 113 acres and 20% contained. CAL FIRE Siskiyou Unit https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2022/3/12/gulch-fire/

New Incident: #EvergreenFire near Evergreen Lane & Hwy 97, northeast of Weed in Siskiyou County is 5 acres. Evacuations in progress. CAL FIRE Siskiyou Unit https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2022/3/12/evergreen-fire/

Subscribe / Donate: https://tinyurl.com/VitkosPrSubscribe