Cal Fire Preparedness Drill Planned In Norco

INLAND EMPIRE, CA — Cal Fire crews throughout the Inland Empire will join municipal fire agencies next week for a preparedness drill in Norco intended to gauge the firefighters' readiness for Southern California's wildfire season.

"This annual drill offers the Riverside County Fire Department's leadership the opportunity to evaluate operational readiness, identify areas for improvement and ensure equipment meets safety compliance standards," according to a Cal Fire statement. "The state fleet from across the region and the Riverside Unit will also conduct equipment inspections to certify that all apparatus is functioning at full capacity."

Along with regular Cal Fire personnel, California Conservation Corps crews from the Bautista, Los Pinos, Norco and Oak Glen camps will be on hand for the exercise, joined by engine and truck companies from the Corona and Riverside fire departments.

Tuesday's agenda is slated to include "tool-out inspections," hikes emphasizing safety and speed, fire shelter deployments, hand-line construction assessments and hose lays, according to officials.

Most of the daylong activity will be confined to the Ingalls Event Center on Crestview Drive.

There was no indication that smoke would be visible from the complex over the duration of the drill.

Wildfire season generally spans May to November, depending on the arrival of autumn or winter rains.