The “One Less Spark” campaign encourages Californians to reduce common ignition sources as elevated temperatures and dry conditions increase wildfire risk.
California officials have launched a statewide public awareness campaign urging residents to take steps to prevent human-caused wildfires as the state enters one of the hottest and driest periods of the year.
The “One Less Spark” campaign, announced Wednesday by Gov. Gavin Newsom and CAL FIRE, encourages Californians to reduce common ignition sources as elevated temperatures and dry conditions increase wildfire risk across much of the state.
According to CAL FIRE, human activity is responsible for an estimated 95% of wildfires in California. The campaign includes digital, radio and billboard advertisements in state responsibility areas throughout Northern and Southern California, along with educational materials that fire departments, local governments and community organizations can share with residents.
The campaign highlights several ways residents can reduce wildfire risk, including mowing lawns before 10 a.m. and avoiding mowing during hot or windy conditions, securing tow chains so they do not drag on roadways, avoiding parking vehicles on dry grass, using power equipment carefully near dry vegetation and obtaining permits before burning debris where required.
The public awareness effort comes as California continues broader wildfire preparedness initiatives ahead of peak fire season. State officials said those efforts include expanding firefighting resources, completing wildfire prevention projects and investing in technologies designed to improve fire detection and response.
Among the technologies being used are artificial intelligence-assisted wildfire detection systems, drones, satellite monitoring, predictive fire modeling and the Fire Integrated Real-Time Intelligence System, or FIRIS, which provides aerial mapping and intelligence to emergency responders. California also continues expanding its fleet of C-130H airtankers, with four aircraft currently in service as part of a planned fleet of seven.
