It takes a careful and concentrated effort to set fire to 8,000 acres of grassland and keep every flame and flicker under control.   That was the scene at Camp Roberts May 19, 2015 as firefighters from Camp Roberts and Hearst Castle joined CalFire and four local fire departments for a large control burn.

"This was a good example of how all fire agencies in California, both state and local, can work well together," said Steven Bradley, president of the State Employed Fire Fighters Association (SEFFA) and California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) board director.

The all-day burn took place on the northwest portion of Camp Roberts.  The goal was to eliminate a fire hazard and the risk of a wildland fire during troop training activities.

Also assisting with the controlled burn were firefighters from the  San Miguel, Templeton, Santa Margarita and Fort Hunter Ligget Fire Departments.

From left to right: SEFFA President Steven Bradley, Vice President Cindy Riley, Secretary-Treasurer Ron DeLucca

"It is our hope that California's fire season this year is a relatively calm one given four years of drought," said CSLEA President Alan Barcelona.  "Our experience tells us to expect the worst.  Our CSLEA-SEFFA members as well as many other CSLEA members face the possibility of a long, hot, dangerous summer away from their homes and families should fires spark. "