Red Flag Warning/ Increased Staffing
Red Flag Warning Duration: From 6:00 am June 19 to 10:00 am June 20.
An increasing northwest flow will bring gusty winds and low humidity’s through Thursday morning across the mountains of Antelope Valley and the Santa Barbara South Coast resulting in elevated fire danger across these areas. However, a surge of drier air will move into the region today and persist through early Thursday. Very low humidity’s coupled with continued gusty winds and very dry fuels will likely bring critical fire weather conditions across the mountains of Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties as well as the adjacent foothills of the Santa Ynez range from Wednesday through Thursday morning.
A red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can create extreme fire behavior.
In anticipation of the Red Flag Warning, the Santa Barbara County Fire Department will increase its staffing level during the period of the RFW. The increased staffing level will include 3 engines, one dozer, and one battalion chief and will be available to respond throughout the Santa Barbara County Operational Area.
As a result of the issuance of the Red Flag Warning, citizens should take appropriate precautions. These precautions include, but are not limited to the following:
• Report any sign of smoke immediately to your local fire department by calling 911 (if your call 911 from your cell phone, you must know your location).
• Use extreme caution when operating spark of flame producing machinery in hazardous grass or brush areas.
• Have an evacuation plan in place and identify two exit routes from your neighborhood. If you are asked to evacuate by fire or law enforcement officials, do so immediately.
• Report any suspicious persons or vehicles to law enforcement.
Contact Information:
Captain David Sadecki
Information Officer
Office 805.681-5531
Cell 805.689-0599
News Line 805.681-5546
Email david.sadecki@sbcfire.com
Twitter @SBCFireInfo
All Santa Barbara County Fire Department News Releases are available at www.sbcfire.com