As dangerous fire weather conditions continue throughout Southern California, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) has strategically prepositioned critical fire resources to include strike teams of fire engines, firefighters, hand crews, water tenders, helicopters, dispatchers and overhead staff in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
Earlier this week, firefighting resources also prepositioned in four other southern counties – Orange, Santa Barbara, San Bernardino, and Riverside. Numerous wildfires sparked across Southern and Northern California as high winds caused erratic fire behavior.
The prepositioned fire resources include:
Los Angeles County: 1 Cal OES Strike Team (5 Cal OES Type 1 Engines), 1 Local Government Type 1 Water Tender, 1 Dispatcher, 1 Cal OES Type 3 Engine
Ventura County: 1 Cal OES Type 1 Water Tender, 1 Dispatcher
A strike team includes five fire engines with 15 firefighters and a strike team Leader.
The National Weather Service is forecasting widespread Red Flag weather conditions over parts of Southern California through Wednesday. High winds have noticeably subsided in Northern California. 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 contribute to extreme fire potential and erratic fire behavior.
Click here to see the National Weather Service’s Red Flag warnings.
The public is urged to remain aware of their surrounding conditions and to avoid outdoor activities that can cause a spark near dry vegetation, such as yard work, target shooting, or campfires and follow local fire restrictions. The public is also reminded to have an emergency plan in place, emergency preparedness kits at home and vehicles full of fuel. Sign-up for emergency alerts, listen to local authorities and warnings, and be prepared to evacuate if necessary.
The Cal OES Warning Center and State Operations Center will monitor conditions and be ready for further resource requests as necessary throughout the Red Flag period.
For more from Cal OES, visit CalOES.ca.gov and follow us on Twitter @Cal_OES.