READY TO FIGHT 'EXPLOSIVE' FIRE CONDITIONS SPARK CALL FOR ALL AVAILABLE HANDS ON DECK.

Byline: Dana Bartholomew Staff Writer

Braced for the most ``explosive'' fire conditions in 30 years, Los Angeles firefighters prepared on Tuesday to empty every firehouse in the event of a summer superblaze.

County, city and U.S. Forestry Service fire departments ramped up training as Gov. Gray Davis signed an executive order to beef up fire preparedness and county officials begged residents to forgo backyard fireworks on Independence Day.

``Explosive, the fire danger is explosive,'' said Capt. Brian Jordan, spokesman for the Los Angeles County Fire Department. ``All the brush and vegetation is dry ... we're beyond extreme.''

The parched chaparral and canyons that haven't burned in 20 years have placed fire departments on high alert during what will officially become the driest year on record for Southern California when the month and rain season end.

Fire officials cite brush moisture levels of 70 percent and dropping - now a third below normal and soon dropping to the point where live vegetation will burn as brightly as dead fuel, fire officials said.

``It's getting to be a bad year, and it's not going to be any better,'' said county Assistant Fire Chief Herbert Spitzer, who is in charge of forestry prevention. ``In the 30 years with this department, this is the most critical year I've seen.''

``The fuel is so dry, the weather is in alignment for a catastrophic wildfire.''

Worst areas of concern, he said, are the Santa Clarita Valley high country (very high danger); the Los Angeles Basin, from Claremont to the San Fernando Valley (high); the Antelope Valley (high); and the Malibu coastal areas and the Santa Clarita Valley (moderate).

Some deserts are so dry, Spitzer said, there aren't any grasses to burn.

To counter the threat of errant sparks from fireworks - both legal and illegal - county and city fire departments plan to augment brush patrols and firehouse crews on July Fourth weekend.

More than 3,000 firefighters in each department will be on standby in the event of problems.

The county will deploy a special team of firefighting coordinators and extra water tenders, patrol units, helicopters, bulldozers and 135 extra fire camp firefighters from prison.

The city will send out 14 brush patrols, five teams of arson patrols and is training every Fire Department clerical worker for brush-fire combat.

``In the event we do have a major fire, these guys will be the second line of defense,'' said Battalion Chief Robert Franco of the Los Angeles Fire Department. ``Any little thing can spark a major fire.''

Los Angeles police have been asked to stringently enforce a zero-tolerance order on firecrackers, sparklers, M-80s and Safe & Sane fireworks, legal in some other cities.

Los Angeles County supervisors voted Tuesday to launch a campaign to inform residents that fireworks of any kind are illegal in unincorporated county areas and urged the public to use good judgment on the Fourth of July.

``Every year, people are injured, property is destroyed and scarce fire suppression dollars are spent during the weeks before and after the Fourth of July due to the use of illegal fireworks, the misuse of illegal fireworks and the discharge of weapons into the air,'' Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich said.

Sheriff Lee Baca warned residents not to shoot guns in the air and said violators of state fireworks laws face fines of at least $500 and up to a year in jail if convicted.

The good news, fire officials said, is that residents have been especially diligent this spring in complying with brush clearance in high danger zones.

Spritzer said 97 percent of county residents have worked to clear brush and gutter debris from their homes.

While 34,000 notices of noncompliance were mailed to Valley residents last year, Valley inspectors reported that 13,000 were mailed this spring out of 120,000 properties inspected.

``We're surprised at how well people have done their work,'' LAFD Valley Brush Inspector Dave Stevens said. ``It'll really make a difference in helping stop fire - and that's all we ask for.''

Severe fire conditions and scant rainfall have already led to 2,298 wildfires in California this year, burning almost three times the acreage of the previous fire season.

On Tuesday, President George W. Bush toured Eagar, Ariz., and offered federal assistance during the largest fire in that state's history.

Eighteen fires are burning in six Western states. Since spring, more than 2 million acres have been charred.

On Tuesday, Davis signed an executive order requiring the California Department of Forestry to deploy additional firefighting resources throughout the state.

In addition to more safety inspections, extra fire engines and fire camp crews will be deployed in Los Angeles, Ventura and other Southern California counties. The California National Guard is also preparing airplanes and helicopters to fight major fires.

``I am taking a proactive step during this extraordinary fire season to ensure that the people and resources of the state have the best protection possible,'' Davis said in a prepared statement.

``I have great admiration for California firefighters. We are committed to making their job as safe as possible.''

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- color) Firefighters mop up after a small blaze in Kagel Canyon on Tuesday, one of many fires fueled by tinderbox conditions.

(2 -- color) no caption (DANGER sign)

Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer

Box:

PROTECTING YOUR FOREST HOME

Warren Huskey/Staff Artist