With fire season in full swing, safety on land is only one concern for first responders. As the weather heats up over Labor Day weekend, locals and tourists are headed for the water, prompting emergency crews to be on high alert.
CAL FIRE San Luis Obispo anticipates larger crowds Saturday through Monday and will be on Lake Nacimiento patrolling from 10 a.m. until sundown.
"We anticipate our call volume going up and that’s mostly due to more people coming out to the lake," Jeff Harvey, CAL FIRE SLO Fire Apparatus Engineer said. “More people means more chances for accidents.”
Drinking water, limiting exposure to the sun, and ensuring pets have access to shade can heat with the heat, according to a Tweet from CAL FIRE SLO .
Please remember to drink plenty of water and limit exposure to the sun. Ensure that animals have access to shade and water at all times. Enjoy the holiday weekend in a responsible and safe manner. https://t.co/ovPSY7VZxL
— CAL FIRE SLO (@CALFIRE_SLO) September 5, 2020
Two firefighters will be staffed on rescue boats all weekend long at Lake Nacimiento to ensure CAL FIRE is ready for any emergencies.
Last Labor Day weekend, 34 people lost their lives off the coast of Santa Barbara in the Conception Boat Fire.
This year, boating through the holiday takes on a different feel.
“Definitely not the norm that we’re used to," Nick Cantor, a Santa Maria resident said.
Some locals also have concerns when it comes to COVID-19.
“You don’t see many people out here wearing masks," Robert Fabiano, a Paso Robles resident said.
Many people at Lake Nacimiento say they are trying to enjoy what they can and stay safe this holiday weekend.
"This is a change right now for Labor Day weekend with our family and friends and enjoying a good time," Cantor said.
