CAL FIRE expands firefighting workforce to 11,436 personnel | The Locally Times
The department has nearly doubled its fire protection workforce since 2019, adding 5,607 positions to improve emergency response capacity.
CAL FIRE has increased its fire protection workforce from 5,829 positions in 2019 to 11,436 as of May 29, 2026. The department expanded its development pipeline by growing the number of annual Company Officer Academies from six in 2019 to a planned 15 in 2026. ## Training Facility Expansion The department doubled its training footprint to accommodate the increased staffing levels. CAL FIRE now operates four training centers located in Ione, Riverside, Redding, and Atwater. On May 29, 2026, the Ione Training Center hosted a graduation ceremony for 39 new Company Officers and 13 new Heavy Fire Equipment Operators. The Company Officer Academy curriculum focuses on tactical command, personnel management, and all-risk emergency operations to prepare personnel for deployment to units across the state. While the total headcount grew to 11,436, the department’s official reporting does not provide a specific breakdown of the current ratio between full-time and seasonal assignments. These staffing levels are intended to support the state's wildfire preparedness and emergency response capabilities. The department’s growth follows legislative partnerships that have prioritized wildfire prevention and response funding over the past five years. ## Infrastructure and Traffic Impacts While the state continues its emergency response expansion, residents face immediate travel disruptions due to concurrent infrastructure projects. Caltrans District 3 scheduled a 28-hour full closure of the northbound Capital City Freeway from N Street to Exposition Boulevard, which began at 11 p.m. May 29 and is set to conclude by 3 a.m. May 31. This work is part of a $239.5 million American River Bridge Rehabilitation Project. Additionally, Caltrans scheduled a three-day closure of eastbound State Route 20 at the Interstate 80 junction starting 6 a.m. June 1 through 6 p.m. June 3. This closure is part of the $112 million Yuba Pass Separation Overhead Bridge Project. Motorists traveling from eastbound State Route 20 to Interstate 80 must detour via State Route 49 or State Route 174. Large trucks are restricted to State Route 49 for the duration of the closure. **When will the State Route 20 closure occur?** The closure is scheduled from 6 a.m. Monday, June 1, through 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 3, at the Interstate 80 junction.