Drought, high winds and excessive heat are only a few of the reasons why wildfires continue to sweep across Western states in 2020 – and why California has nearly half of all wildfire-ravaged acres in the U.S. More than 3.1 million acres have burned in California, where smoke particles are coloring the skies red and orange. Oregon and Washington have been hit hard as well. About 672,000 acres have burned in Oregon, compared with 583,000 acres in Washington. https://bit.ly/2Fs4Cxq | USA TODAY

🔥 Your Two Shields of Safety — Checked by Firefighters Before the Flames Begin 🔥 Before fire ever strikes, firefighters make sure your home and workplace are protected by two shields of safety. Because fire protection isn’t just about alarms and sprinklers — it’s about prevention and protection working together. 👀 🔹 Passive Fire Protection – Firewalls, fire-rated doors, fireproof coatings, and seals that contain flames and smoke, giving you precious time to escape. 🔹 Active Fire Protection

Our crews gathered for a presentation on the construction of single-family homes in our community. The training focused on the similarities and differences in building materials between older and newer houses, as well as common floor plans, such as the Craftsman-style homes found around Station 51. Understanding how these homes are built helps firefighters anticipate layouts, locate entry points, and plan ventilation strategies during emergencies. The more familiar we are with the structures in