It seems fire season rages all year long now in California, and with the hot, dry weather, the chances of a fire sparking suddenly are very high.

That is the word from fire officials who are warning people to get prepared now.

As we have seen, the fires are burning fast and furious–and way ahead of schedule.

Fire season is burning up. Flames destroyed a home in Clayton on Wednesday.

And a fire caused evacuations in Concord in June.

Contra Costa County Fire Marshal Robert Marshall says the fire don’t normally burn until August or September, but this year, it’s happening in April, June, and July.

Marshall tells KRON4 it is not too late or too early for people to prepare for a destructive fire.

Homes that do not have a 30-foot defensible space are at greater risk during a fire.

The East Bay hills are brown, dry, and crisp. All of this is fuel just waiting to burn.

The fire marshal recommends people clean gutters consistently and to make sure trees are not touching homes. Just don’t use power tools to do it on hot days when a spark could start a fire

Prepare now because if flames are approaching, Marshall says your garden hose won’t stop the fire.

Marshall says you should be ready to evacuate.

“So, if the fire does occur, you know where to go, how to get there, and what you are taking with you in a moments notice because when we tell you to go, there is no time to stop and get things,” Marshall said. “We don’t give a lot of notice when those things occur.”

Bottom line is it is not too late in the summer to get ready.

WHAT OTHERS ARE CLICKING ON:

>>MORE STORIES