With the drier than normal conditions, the Amador-El Dorado-Sacramento Unit of CalFire has geared up for fire season beginning with the staffing of four engines on April 29.

Four additional engines are to be staffed on May 13.

“Beginning June 1 we will have two CalFire engines staffed (in Lake Tahoe); one in South Lake Tahoe and one in Carnelian Bay,” Teri Mizuhara with CalFire told Lake Tahoe News.

This year’s early start to wildfire season is the result of the very dry conditions, a combination of a lack of rain and an earlier than normal heat wave.

Unit Chief Kelly Keenan said in a statement, “I am very confident that my personnel can handle this increased fire threat. We are prepared all year long for emergencies. We are also preparing for the increased wildland fire threat by training more firefighters and staffing additional fire equipment.”