Cal Fire, National Guard team-up to combat California wildfires

REDDING, Calif. — A new kind of fire protection is headed to the Northstate, all the way from the US-Mexico border.

Starting next month, 110 California National Guard troops will switch out their rifles for chainsaws, to help thin trees and cut brush ahead of wildfire season in California.

Troops will train with Cal Fire for 11 days before being broken down into 5 hand crew teams to work on forest management projects throughout the state.

This decision marks the first time in California history the National Guard will be used for wildfire mitigation before it occurs.

Prior to this decision, the California National Guard was used during the Carr and Camp fires to help with check points and evacuation areas.

However, this time they'll take a more proactive approach, getting involved before disaster strikes.

In a statement released by the California National Guard Wednesday, Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan M. Shiroma said, "Approximately 100 National Guard personnel are being redeployed from the southern border mission to prepare for the upcoming fire season by supporting Cal Fire in fire prevention and fire suppression efforts."

Confirming that those National Guard troops will be redirected from the border to help with the fire prevention efforts.

While there's still no word on where the troops will be working, earlier this month, Cal Fire submitted a report naming 200 California communities at high-risk for wildfire threats.

Topping that list at #1 is the Highway 44 Fuel Break in Shasta County, followed by West Redding Fuels Reduction at #10 and China Gulch Fuel Break at #12.

Making Shasta and Trinity counties likely stops along their way.

As of right now, Cal Fire says the troops should be working by late April, just in time for wildfire season.