The ISO rating for the South Santa Clara County Fire District is 5/10. The ISO rating is rated by the proximity of the residence/location to the nearest fire station. This is for the South County Fire District Station’s, as well as all its surrounding departments that we have an Auto Aid Agreement with. No longer does the fire hydrant distance to the specifies location come into play.

Cal Fire declares fire season in California when warm weather and wildland fuel conditions dictate. While fire season is usually declared around the middle of May, the exact date varies from year to year based on weather patterns and fuel conditions. Cal Fire rarely declares the entire state in fire season all at one time. Most often Cal Fire’s 21 administrative units throughout California declare fire season as their unit’s conditions dictate. It is usually units in the southern part of the state that declare fire season the earliest as that region is usually warmer and dryer than the rest of the state.

“Fire Season” is a state of heightened readiness. Emergency response dispatch levels are typically increased, facilities are staffed 24 hours a day and additional firefighters are hired. Cal Fire airtankers and air attack planes are moved from their off-season maintenance location in Sacramento to strategic positions around the state. Restrictions and suspensions of burn permits are also likely to take effect during fire season in areas where extreme fire conditions exist.

Fire Season is declared closed on an area-by-area basis when cool weather and precipitation reduce the threat of wildfire. This usually starts to occur towards the end of October, but can be well into January in Southern California units. Staffing levels may be lowered while some remote fire stations close for the winter. Even when fire season is declared closed, Cal Fire remains a year-round, full service emergency response department responding to such incidents as structure fires, medical aids, search and rescue operations, and hazardous material spills.

Contact the Cal Fire unit you are interested in applying with.

Cal Fire does not carry these types of maps. Contact the appropriate agency California Department of Fish and Game, California Department of Parks and Recreation, US Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, or your local sporting/hunting goods stores.