California Military Department adjutant general Maj.

California Military Department adjutant general Maj. Gen. David Baldwin speaks to a crowd May 4 at McClellan Air Base, Sacramento, as California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) launched Wildfire Preparedness Week. Amid COVID-19, firefighting agencies and organizations urge California communities to be mindful of the annual threat ahead. “This year seems to be unique because of COVID-19, and certainly it is. However as it relates to firefighting, its not unusual,” Baldwin said. “The same principles remain in effect. Everyone in the public needs to work together to make sure they’re ready to go if they have a fire in their area. The most important thing is as the COVID-19 restrictions begin to be lifted in the upcoming days and weeks, don’t go out there and start fires.” Five of the state’s most destructible fire seasons in history happened in the last five years. (Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Eddie Siguenza)