Fire officials took advantage of Fire Awareness Day on Wednesday to warn of the dangers that face many people whose homes are near wooded areas.

"We are at risk. We have all the potential to have an Oakland fire here," warned Salt Lake County Fire Capt. Dennis Steadman.Salt Lake City and County firefighters are mostly trained to handle structure fires, while firefighters from the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service are trained to handle forest and brush fires, Steadman said. But the recent establishment of the Wasatch Front Wildfire Cooperators will provide the best of both worlds for all agencies.

A mutual-aid agreement between such agencies will provide additional manpower and equipment when it's needed. The agreement was reached between most of the federal, state, county and city fire agencies from Box Elder County to southern Utah County.

"It's knocking down a lot of the boundaries that used to exist, and it's fantastic," Steadman said.

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Many Salt Lake County homes in the High Country Estates, Emigration Canyon and other areas near the mountains have serious fire potential, particularly in light of the expected drought conditions. Fire officials are encouraging residents to clear all underbrush within 30 feet of their homes.

A fire in Oakland, Calif., last fall destroyed thousands of hillside and canyon homes.

The Salt Lake County Fire Department has hired a fire hand crew that will help residents clear underbrush. It also will help fight fires this summer. Residents of unincorporated Salt Lake County interested in advice or assistance from the hand crew can call 964-0681 during regular business hours.

"We anticipate we're going to have some major fire problems this year if people don't pay heed to precautions," Steadman said.

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