Warmer, Drier Weather: A Recipe for Wildfires
When the weather is warm and dry, there is typically an exacerbated risk of wildfires. If combined with winds, the risk only increases.
Fire safety begins before the conditions are conducive for fires to spread. Create defensible space by clearing brush away from your home and use fire-resistant landscaping to reduce fire risk. Plan multiple escape routes, and make sure that everyone in your house knows what to do and where to go should disaster strike. Also, you should review your insurance policies to make sure your home and personal property is covered.
When unseasonable warmth and low humidity combine, foliage and vegetation dry out while brush on the ground loses its last vestiges of moisture. Add substantial winds to that, and the NWS will likely begin to issue watches and warnings. Know what these advisories mean, so you can be prepared!
Fire Weather Watch: Be Prepared!
A Fire Weather Watch alerts land managers and the public that the upcoming weather could result in increased fire occurrence or extreme fire behavior. As with other NWS advisories, a watch means that these conditions are possible, but not imminent or actively occurring.
Red Flag Warning: Take Action.
A Red Flag Warning means that fire conditions are actively occurring or will be shortly. When a Red Flag Warning is in effect, be extremely careful with open flames, as the fire could quickly spread into a devastating wildfire.
Extreme Fire Behavior
If you see this alert, that means an active wildfire is likely to rage out of control. For this alert to be triggered, the fire must be moving fast, fire whirls have been spotted, the fire is reaching the crowns of many trees or a strong convection column is present. At this point, the fire is extremely dangerous and erratic, and could cause widespread devastation. Don’t ignore this alert under any circumstances.
Be sure to follow instructions issued by local officials. Be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice, and make sure to leave immediately if ordered!
Before an emergency occurs, you should sit down with your family or close friends and decide on a plan of action, especially if you live in a fire-prone area. Keep a copy of this plan in your emergency supply kit, which should also contain water, food, flashlights, a first aid kit, whistle, masks, local maps, a battery powered radio and spare batteries, disinfectant wipes and extra prescription medications as needed.
Credit: NWS
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