CHICO, Calif. — According to CAL FIRE officials, burn scars have the potential to be used as a fuel break and help stop the spread of a fire.

“It’s absolutely a possibility that the burned ground, which has removed all the fuel or a lot of the fuel, can have a big impact on when a new fire comes in there and it can actually make a big difference in stopping the spread of a fire,” said Rick Carhart, CAL FIRE Public Information Officer.

Carhart says while using the 2018 burn scar for the North Complex West Zone is not in their direct plan of action, they say it is a possibility in case the fire moves in that direction.

“I mean, we’re not certainly trying to direct any fire in that direction so that it will do that, but it’s a thing that’s out there and it’s a thing we really could, possibly, be helpful if the conditions worsen and the fire gets there.”

They’re preparing for the worst but hoping for the best.

“We certainly didn’t build the Camp Fire like we would maybe build or create a fule break, but it will serve in the same purpose if the fire does get into that area,” said Carhart. “It’s not into that area now, and we’re not anticipating [for it to] get across Highway 70, and get into those areas that burnt in the Camp Fire, but if it were to happen it’s definitely something we could be able to use.”

Carhart says for the North Complex West Zone fire to make its way across Highway 70, towards the 2018 burn scar area, we would have to have high winds, more hot weather, more low humidity, and winds in the exact right direction.

They don’t anticipate it happening, as winds have died down, but are preparing in case weather conditions change.