The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) has approved the prepositioning of firefighting resources in Riverside, Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura counties in response to Red Flag Warnings and critical fire weather conditions forecasted to impact Southern California through Wednesday, December 11th. These warnings, issued due to a combination of strong winds, low humidity, and dry vegetation, signal an increased potential for fast-moving wildfires.
A total of 41 fire engines, 6 water tenders, 4 bulldozers, and 3 hand crews will begin prepositioned across the affected counties Monday morning. The deployment also includes 4 helicopters for aerial firefighting support and multiple specialized personnel, including 26 Incident Management Team (IMT) members and 5 dispatchers to ensure seamless coordination. These efforts ensures that both ground and air resources are ready to respond quickly, minimizing the potential impact of new fires. This proactive approach has proven to be a critical component of California’s wildfire response strategy, reducing response times and containing fires before they escalate into major incidents.
“Prepositioning resources is one of the most effective ways to protect Californians and their communities during dangerous fire weather conditions,” said Brian Marshall, Cal OES Fire and Rescue Chief. “By strategically placing crews and equipment close to high-risk areas, we’re able to respond quickly to emerging fires, potentially saving lives and property.
Residents are urged to stay vigilant during this heightened fire weather period. Cal OES reminds the public to:
- Prepare a wildfire action plan, including planning evacuation routes and packing a go-bag ready with essentials.
- Sign up for local emergency alerts to stay informed about changing conditions.
For more information on fire safety and preparedness, visit News.CalOES.ca.gov and Ready.ca.gov.