Due to the continuing drought, wildfires spread in California Monday and local area firefighters said this has spurred concern about the spread of fires in Raleigh.

“It’s definitely something to worry about,” Mike Boshart, junior in political science and firefighter for Western Wake Fire Rescue, said.

According to Boshart, while he doubts that Raleigh could have fires as extreme as those in California, brush fires and wood fires do occur daily.

He said heavy wind has contributed most to those wildfires, which is much stronger than what Raleigh residents can expect.

“[But on] any day with a slight breeze, we’ll get multiple calls,” he said. “Fires are definitely more prominent [now],” said Boshart.

While fires are more likely during the drought, less water is available to fight them, according to Chrissy Pearson, director of public information for the State Fire Marshal’s office.

The City of Raleigh implemented new water restrictions Tuesday, according to the city’s Web site.

Some of the restrictions, coined “Stage 1.5” restrictions, include prohibiting washing vehicles at home and watering by irrigation systems.

Governor Easley also asked that citizens decrease water consumption by 50 percent by the end of October, according to the Office of the Governor’s Web site.

“It certainly has changed the way some local departments have access to water,” she said. “In general, if water is not available, [firefighters] cannot provide the protection that they would like to.”

In Franklin County last week, Boshart said that hydrants ran dry from a water main break. And while every truck carries a supply of water, fighting a fire without water from hydrants can be a problem, he said.

According to Boshart, if that situation arose, firefighters would have to call for tanker trucks from around the county for aid.

“If a fire were started, it would be harder to find water to put it out,” Pearson said.

According to Boshart, his group has been looking for water outside Raleigh because of restrictions.

They go to Cary to get water sometimes because of their looser water restrictions, he said.

The Raleigh Fire Department has been trying to conserve water the best it can, according to Divison Chief Frank Warner.

Warner and Boshart both said they have cut out water for washing vehicles and during training exercises.

Boshart said students could help preserve water resources by taking shorter showers, and they should be aware of what they do with flammable items.

“Cigarettes are probably one of the biggest problems,” Boschart said.

Many fires have resulted from cigarettes thrown out windows on the highway, he said.

Pearson said she would caution anyone from burning trash or using firecrackers as well.

While he said people could help conserve, Boshart said he was not optimistic about the future.

“Unless we get rain, it’s going to get worse,” he said.

According to Tommie Ann Styons, assistant fire chief for the Raleigh Fire Department, current conditions in Raleigh are not the safest.

“Dry wind, low humidity and fire don’t go together,” she said.

Staff Writer Amy Allemang contributed to this report.