California eyes homeowners as firefighters

SACRAMENTO, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- California's head wildfire fighter says the state is considering a radical change that would train residents in fire zones to pitch in rather than evacuate.

Ruben Grijalva, director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, told the Los Angeles Times the idea is based on Australia's "stay-and-fight" policy in which homeowners help man the fire lines when flames approach their neighborhoods.

The goal in Australia is to prevent flying embers from igniting structures, the Times said.

"You'll start seeing pilot programs of what they do in Australia, with some modifications in California -- huge education programs," Grijalva said.

The proposal is being considered as California wraps up a costly fire season that consumed 1.4 million acres and more than $1 billion in firefighting costs.

"The solution is not just more fire engines and more airplanes," said Grijalva.