CalFire Battalion Chief Scott Watson said such hands-on drills are vital to getting the future firefighters ready for wild land fire conditions. "These students are applying in the field what they've been learning in the classroom for four weeks," Watson said. The recruits will graduate the CDF Academy in Ione in two weeks and that means they could be on the front lines of a major fire a few days after that. Officials with Cal Fire have warned the 2007 fire season could be one of the worst the state has seen.  Between now and August, more than 300 firefighters will graduate from the fire academy in Ione. As Calfire continues to prepare for an early, and what could be intense, fore season The Amador El Dorado Unit of CAL FIRE asks, “Are you dong the right thing the wrong way? For example, trying to eliminate the fire hazards around your home and in the process starting a wildland fire? Each year CAL FIRE responds to more than 1,600 fires started by Californians using equipment the wrong way.

Whether working to create a defensible space around your home, just mowing the lawn, or pulling your dirt bike over to the side of the road, if you live in a wildland area you need to use all equipment responsibly. Lawnmowers, weed eaters, chainsaws, grinders, welders, tractors, and trimmers can all spark a wildland fire. Do your part, the right way, to keep your community fire safe follow some simple rules suggested by Amador El Dorado Unit. -Do your yard work and clearance before 10 a.m

.  NOT IN THE HEAT OF THE DAY, OR WHEN THE WIND IS BLOWING!;

Lawn mowers are designed to mow lawns.

NEVER use lawn mowers in dry vegetation. Use a weed trimmer to cut down dry weeds and grass.

Remove rocks in the area before you begin operating any equipment. A rock hidden in grass or weeds is enough to start a fire when struck by a metal blade.

In wildland areas, spark arresters are required on all portable gasoline powered equipment including tractors, harvesters, chainsaws, weed eaters, mowers, motorcycles, and All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs).

Keep the exhaust system, spark arresters and mower in proper working order and free of carbon buildup. Use the recommended grade of fuel and don’t top off.

Keep the engine free of oil and dust, and keep the mower free of flammable materials.

In wildland areas, a permit may be required for grinding and welding operations, and spark shields may be required on equipment. Be sure to have 10 feet of clearance, a 46-inch round point shovel, and a backpump water-type fire extinguisher ready to use.

Hot exhaust pipes and mufflers can start fires you won’t even see - until it’s too late! Don’t pull off into dry grass or brush.

And always keep a cell phone nearby and call 911 IMMEDIATELY in case of a fire.