By Chief Sam DiGiovanna
It’s important to help keep your community educated and informed!
Though wildfires know no season, as we approach the summer and Fall months, we will issue more Red Flag Warnings to our community members. Though common terminology to us, many do not know the “who, why, when and what to do” when a Red Flag Warning is issued. Always on the forefront of our minds, it’s not to most people not in the fire service. So, it’s our responsibility to keep it in the forefront of our community to have them help us – because we certainly need their cooperation.
Feel free to use this article (or plagiarize it) as a PSA to inform and educate your community of what Red Flag Warnings are, the impact of them, and what to do.
The National Weather Service Issues Red Flag Warnings & Fire Weather Watches to alert us of the onset of critical weather and dry conditions that could lead to rapid or dramatic increases in wildfire activity. We in turn notify the media to help get the message out.
As you know, Red Flag Warning is issued for weather events which may result in extreme fire behavior that will occur within 24 hours. A Fire Weather Watch is issued when weather conditions could exist in the next 12-72 hours. A Red Flag Warning is the highest alert. During these times extreme caution is urged by all residents because a simple spark can cause a major wildfire. A Fire Weather Watch is one level below a warning, but fire danger is still high.
The type of weather patterns that can cause a watch or warning include low relative humidity, strong winds, dry fuels, the possibility of dry lightning strikes, or any combination of the above.
Wildfires impact everyone regardless of where you live. When a wildfire develops, resources from all areas from the mountains to the ocean are trained and support one another through our mutual aid system. Until personnel are recalled to backfill the stations responding to wildfires there could be a slight delay in response for medical, vehicle, structure fires. Not to mention everyone suffers from the harmful effects wildfire smoke which can last for days, weeks and longer.
It hits our pocketbook. Fighting wildfires in America can cost federal agencies billions of dollars. Wildland fires are growing worse in a time of drought and climate change, and the biggest and most destructive fires can’t be stopped. They are a force of nature; imagine trying to stop a hurricane.
During heightened fire danger, fire departments will place additional firefighters on duty, staff more engines, increase hillside patrols and keep more equipment on 24 hours a day to be able to respond to any new fires. CAL FIRE and all fire agencies urge Californians to be extremely cautious, especially during periods of high fire danger. It’s important all residents and visitors take steps to prevent wildfires. One less spark could mean one less wildfire. Here are some tips to share with your community on preventing wildfires; https://lnkd.in/gf_hS5Ck
Sam DiGiovanna is a 35-year fire service veteran. He started with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, served as Fire Chief at the Monrovia Fire Department and currently serves as Chief at the Verdugo Fire Academy in Glendale. He also is a consultant for Cordico www.Cordico.com, Lexipol www.Lexipol.com & Fortress North America Fortress