Cal OES Prepositions Firefighting Resources and Personnel in 11 California Counties in Advance of Red Flag Conditions

Published:

Updated: Oct. 22, 2020

In preparation of dangerous fire weather conditions continuing across the state, 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 10 counties across the state.

The prepositioned fire resources include:

  • Lake County: 2 Local Government Task Forces (8 Local Government Type 3 Engines), 2 Local Government Type 1 Water Tenders, 1 Local Government Type 2 Dozer, 1 Dispatcher
  • Napa County: 1 Local Government Task Force, (1 Local Government Type 2 Engine, 2 Local Government Type 3 Engines, 2 Local Government Type 6 Engines)
  • Sonoma County: 1 Local Government Strike Team (5 Local Government Type 3 Engines), 1 Local Government Task Force, (5 Local Government Type 3 Engines, 1 Local Government Type 6 Engine) 1 OES Water Tender
  • Marin County: 1 Local Strike Team (5 Local Government Type 3 Engines), 1 Local Government Type 1 Water Tenders, 2 Dispatchers
  • Santa Clara County: 1 Local Government Task Force, (3 Local Government Type 3 Engines, 1 Local Government Type 1 Engine, 1 Local Government Type 6 Engine)
  • Solano County: 4 Local Government Type 3 Engines
  • Alameda County: 1 Cal OES Strike Team (5 Cal OES Type 3 Engines), 1 Local Government Type 1 Water Tender, 1 Dispatcher
  • Contra Costa County: 1 Local Government Strike Team (5 Local Government Type 3 Engines), 2 Local Government Type 2 Dozers, 1 Local Government Type 1 Water Tender, 1 Helicopter, 1 Local Government Hand Crew, 1 Dispatcher, 3 Overhead
  • Colusa County: 4 Local Government Type 3 Engines, 1 Local Government Type 1 Water Tender
  • Tehama County: 1 Cal OES Strike Team (5 Cal OES Type 3 Engines)
  • Nevada County: 1 Dispatcher

A strike team includes five fire engines with 15 firefighters and a strike team Leader.

The National Weather Service is forecasting low relative humidity and unseasonably warm temperatures, creating Red Flag weather conditions over parts of California throughout the remainder of the week.  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.

 

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