Media Advisory: Santa Clara County Annual Wildland Drill at Alum Rock Park from June 8-12

Fire agencies from across Santa Clara County to come together in advance of 2026 wildfire season

Post Date:06/04/2026 11:00 AM
Media Contact
Jake Pisani, Public Information Manager, San José Fire Department
408-398-9228; SJFDPIO@sanjoseca.gov

Advisory Detail
 What: Santa Clara County Operational Area (XSC) Annual Wildland Drill
 When: Monday, June 8, 2026 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Wednesday, June 10, 2026
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Friday, June 12, 2026
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
 Where: Alum Rock Park
15350 Penitencia Creek Rd.
San José, CA 95127
 Background: Fire agencies from across Santa Clara County will come together at Alum Rock Park to prepare for the upcoming wildfire season through a coordinated wildland training exercise.

The XSC Annual Wildland Drill provides hands-on training for firefighters and dispatchers while strengthening interagency coordination in anticipation of potential mutual aid responses during fire season.

The three-day exercise will take place Monday, June 8; Wednesday, June 10; and Friday, June 12, with two sessions scheduled each day. This structure allows personnel from all shifts to participate. Training components will include radio communications, progressive hose lays, water supply operations, structure defense, and other critical wildland firefighting skills.

Participating agencies include the San José Fire Department (SJFD), Santa Clara County Fire Department, Santa Clara City Fire Department, Palo Alto Fire Department, Mountain View Fire Department, Milpitas Fire Department, Morgan Hill Fire Department, Gilroy Fire Department, Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety, CAL FIRE Santa Clara Unit, Spring Valley Volunteer Fire Department, and San José’s Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services Department.

No live fire or prescribed burning will occur during the exercise, and there are no anticipated smoke or air quality impacts. Residents and park visitors should expect to see an increased presence of fire personnel and apparatus in the area; this activity is part of a planned training and is not cause for concern.
 Media: Media representatives are invited to attend on Wednesday, June 10. To RSVP, please email SJFD Public Information Manager Jake Pisani at SJFDPIO@sanjoseca.gov. Attendees should wear appropriate clothing and footwear for uneven, grassy terrain.

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