CPF

California Professional Firefighters and its affiliates proved once again that the issues that matter to first responders are issues that resonate with the state's voters. In a year with a record election turnout, CPF-endorsed candidates have won or are leading in all but three of the 91 Assembly and Senate contests in which we made a recommendation -- a whopping 97% success rate! Firefighters also helped lead the defeat of a ballot measure that could have diverted millions away from state fire protection programs. 

In the last week before the election, an advertisement has surfaced in support of Prop. 11 with a firefighter implying that all CA firefighters support the measure. In fact, the individual is not a member of California Professional Firefighters, and does not speak on behalf of any statewide firefighting organization, including those representing management. CPF has taken no position on Prop. 11 -- either for or against.

Uniformed firefighters, family members and dignitaries from throughout California came together Saturday in remembrance of those who paid the ultimate price to protect the lives and property of Californians.

According to CAL FIRE statistics, the 2008 Firestorm that ran from approximately June 11th, with the outbreak of the Humboldt Fire, through the end of July consumed more than one million acres - the most ever for a single state fire incident.

 Evacuation orders have been lifted and full containment is near for the 34,000-acre Telegraph Fire, which threatened Yosemite National Park. The blaze destroyed more than 100 structures, including 28 residences. Roughly three-dozen minor injuries were reported, but no deaths.

A 60-day Special Election to fill the post of CPF Secretary-Treasurer has ended with the election of Burbank Fire Fighters Local 778 President Lew Stone. Stone, who has served as CPF 2nd District Vice President since 2001, was sworn in this week at a meeting of the CPF Executive Board. 

 As weather on the front lines continues to assist the firefighting effort, the sobering toll of the 2008 Firestorm is, in one area, without precedent. According to CAL FIRE, the month-long siege of fires has swallowed up nearly 850,000 acres, surpassing the 2003 Southern California Firestorm, which officially consumed about 650,000 acres. All but 80 of the more than 2,000 fires have been contained.

During the hot summer, the risks of heat exhaustion and heat stroke increase. A new CalOSHA warning about heat stress is especially important for firefighters as fire season kicks into high gear in Northern California.

In its July issue, National Geographic examines the escalating fire risk throughout the Western United States, citing development in the WUI as well as climatic changes as the cause of fires that are ever-more dangerous.