Fire Danger Prompts State to Ready Crews for Rough Wildfire Season

RIVERSIDE - A dearth of winter rain and tinderbox conditions in many parts of Southern California is prompting Cal Fire to return crews to 24- hour operations, it was announced today.

Beginning Monday, the agency will activate peak staffing at fire stations in Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties.

''Even with rain (this month), our fire activity has remained 200 percent over average statewide,'' Cal Fire Chief Ken Pimlott said. ''The rain has been great, but it has not been enough to make up for our dry winter and California's drought.''

The seasonal workforce increases in the Inla...