... Preparedness is Key to Surviving Fires...

Wildfires consume nearly 8 million acres of forested land each year on average across the United States . In California , hundreds of thousands of acres burn every year due to wildfires. More people than ever before live in the urban interface between their communities and a nearby forest or wilderness area. It’s only a matter of time before a wildfire will impact you and your family, so preparedness is very important.

Acton Fire in Southern California

Take action ahead of time by preparing your home against wildfires. Clear the brush at least 30 feet away from your home…trim tree branches away from chimneys and electrical lines…enclose roof eaves and undersides of decks with fire resistant materials. Develop a home evacuation plan in case you need to leave in an emergency…have two exit routes from your neighborhood…and listen to instructions from public officials. The greatest health threat from smoke generated by a wildfire is to those with heart and lung conditions, especially older adults and children. Listen for advice from local authorities and limit your exposure to any smoke when a wildfire is nearby.

Weather plays a key role in the growth and vitality of wildfires across California . Persistent drought conditions across the state and summertime heat waves significantly dry and prime the forest for severe wildfires. Shrubs, grasses, and trees become the dry fuels needed to stoke a wildfire once it starts.

The seasonal monsoon moves into areas of California during the summer months and with it comes an increased threat of lightning storms. Lightning, accompanied by very little rainfall, start many wildfires each year across the state. Unfortunately, humans are the number one cause of fires in California due to carelessness or intentional actions.

A long duration of very low relative humidities and gusty winds can lead to rapid fire growth and dangerous conditions for firefighters and the general public in the path of a fast moving wildfire. The fall months are particularly notorious for bringing this type of critical weather condition to southern California when strong Santa Ana winds develop across the region.

National Weather Service (NWS) offices in California predict the weather conditions that may lead to the development and spread of wildfires. When critical fire weather criteria are expected to be met, the NWS coordinates with all federal, state, county, city and local fire and wildland agencies to plan ahead for potential wildfires. A red flag warning may be issued by the NWS to get the message out to the firefighting agencies and the public, about the threat of rapid wildfire growth.

When a large wildfire requires special attention, an incident command system is established to bring in extra firefighters and equipment to help fight the fire. The NWS helps support the firefighters by sending an incident meteorologist or IMET to the scene. The IMET provides 24-hour weather predictions and observation monitoring around the wildfire to ensure safety for firefighting crews. Local climatology and terrain play a large role in the spread of the wildfire and an IMET is capable of informing firefighters how the local weather will impact the fire area.

IMET setting up remote weather station

Listen to your favorite radio or television news source for the latest updates on red flag warnings or wildfires in California , or go to the National Weather Service website at http://www.weather.gov