Cal Fire calls an end to North Bay's fire season

Recent rains have eased the threat of wildfires to the point that Cal Fire’s Sonoma-Lake-Napa unit has announced an end to fire season starting Dec. 1.

The announcement comes at a time when even more rain - as much as 5-7 inches - is expected to fall in the coming days over the North Bay.

Still, Unit Chief Scott Upton reminded people in a news release that “the area still remains under serious drought conditions.”

The drought made this a particularly active fire year, with fire agencies around the state battling 1,000 more fires than normal, officials said.

Cal Fire will continue monitoring weather conditions and increase staffing if needed.

Upton urged homeowners to use the winter months to create a low-vegetation buffer, known as defensible space, around their homes if they haven’t done so already.

The end to fire season will be effective in Sonoma, Lake, Napa, Colusa, Yolo and Solano counties starting Monday.

Cal Fire officials urged anyone choosing to burn brush piles to closely monitor the flames, make sure piles are no larger than 4 feet in diameter and have a 10-foot, vegetation-free buffer.