Fighting Fire with Fire: 9th CES Conducts Prescribed Burns to Protect Beale Published July 13, 2026 9th Reconnaissance Wing BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- To mitigate the threat of wildfires and protect installation assets, the 9th Civil Engineer Squadron has partnered with the Wildland Fire Support Module to conduct prescribed burns across Beale Air Force Base. This collaborative effort not only reduces hazardous fuel loads but also enhances the operational readiness of installation first responders. The partnership provides invaluable field experience for the 9 CES Fire Department’s personnel, ensuring they are prepared for large-scale wildland fire events. "Our collaboration with the Wildland Fire Support Module is critical to our proactive defense posture,” said Mr. Blaze Baker, 9 CES Installation Management Flight Chief. “By conducting these prescribed burns, we are directly reducing the risk to our infrastructure and our personnel.” The controlled burns are carefully planned and executed under specific weather and environmental conditions to ensure safety and maximum effectiveness. “Executing a prescribed burn requires meticulous planning and constant monitoring,' said Anthony Velasquez, Department of the Interior, US Wildland Fire Service “We work closely with the 9 CES Fire Department to ensure every operation is conducted safely, which ultimately makes the entire base more resilient against natural wildfires.” Through proactive measures and integrated training, the 9 CES remains ready to sustain Beale's mission and protect the installation.