Fire crews will put the flames to the griddle as firefighters union Local 3355 and the South County Fire Authority host annual pancake breakfasts at Tracy and Mountain House fire stations in early October during National Fire Prevention Week.

The batter gets cooking first with the 39th annual pancake breakfast at Tracy fire Station 91 on Oct. 6, a Saturday. Early risers can have their pancakes as the sun rises, as the breakfast starts at 6 a.m. and ends at 11 a.m.

“The breakfast is one of our primary fundraisers of the year,” said Clarke Caldwell, a Tracy firefighter-medic. “It is part of Fire Prevention Week, and part of the breakfast is to get the fire prevention tips out to the community.”

Organizers expect close to 1,200 people to sit down for a breakfast of pancakes and sausage, along with juice or coffee.

Breakfast visitors can watch an auto extrication demonstration as fire crews use the Jaws of Life to open a junk car in a simulated accident.

Children 3 to 12 years old can also test their firefighting savvy as they run through a Junior Firefighter Challenge obstacle course.

Caldwell said there will also be information to pick up about fire prevention, along with a visit from Sparky the Fire Dog.

Mountain House’s Fire Station 1 will have its turn at the griddle with the community’s third annual pancake breakfast Oct. 13, also a Saturday. The Mountain House breakfast will also run from 6 to 11 a.m., serving pancakes and sausages to an anticipated 600 visitors.

Caldwell said the Mountain House breakfast is a bit smaller, but he expects the event will expand in time.

“It is a growing tradition,” Caldwell said. “I anticipate it growing bigger as the years go by and the community grows larger.”

Tickets for both breakfasts — $5 for adults and $4 for children and seniors — can be purchased at the door or at the Tracy fire administration office, 835 Central Ave.

Caldwell said proceeds from each breakfast will go to charities in the respective community.