So what is this Red Flag stuff and what does it mean? From Wikipedia: A Red Flag Warning also known as a Fire Weather Warning is a forecast warning issued by the United States National Weather Service to inform area firefighting and land management agencies that conditions are ideal for wildland fire ignition, and rapid propagation. After drought conditions, and when humidity is very low, and especially when high or erratic winds which may include lightning are a factor, the Red Flag Warning becomes a critical statement for firefighting agencies. These agencies often alter their staffing and equipment resources dramatically to accommodate the forecast risk. To the public, a Red Flag Warning means high fire danger with increased probability of a quickly spreading vegetation fire in the area within 24 hours. The weather criteria for fire weather watches and red flag warnings vary with each Weather Service Office’s warning area based on the local vegetation type, topography, and distance from major water sources. They usually include the daily vegetation moisture content calculations, expected afternoon high temperature, afternoon minimum relative humidity and daytime wind speed. Outdoor burning bans may also be proclaimed by local law and fire agencies based on Red Flag Warnings. A separate but less imminent forecast may include a Fire Weather Watch, which is issued to alert fire and land management agencies to the possibility that Red Flag conditions may exist beyond the first forecast period (12 hours). The watch is issued generally 12 to 48 hours in advance of the expected conditions, but can be issued up to 72 hours in advance if the NWS agency is reasonably confident. The term “Fire Weather Watch” is headlined in the routine forecast and issued as a product. That watch then remains in effect until it expires, is canceled, or upgraded to a Red Flag Warning. *************************************************************************** Where does the term come from? Since the 1700s flying a red flag has indicated a warning of some kind and in the early days of the U.S. Forest service they needed a way to warn the visiting public of the fire danger so Rangers used to fly red flags at the Ranger stations and at the entrances to the parks and forests. Up to the late 70s, Cal Fire (then CDF) used to fly red flags at their stations and would go out on patrol flying a red flag attached to the rear of the rig. When I was a young seasonal I used to foolishly love Red Flag days because it meant no station duties after the morning chores and patrolling remote back roads all day. What doe it mean to me the average citizen? The rules, regulations and practices will vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Local burn bans may be increased or a total ban including camp fires may be in place. Fire agencies increase staffing (right now a staffing pattern is in effect for the northern region of Cal Fire and most units are holding all firefighters on duty) and staff up reserve and patrol units. Some agencies will send units out on patrol in critical areas or preposition engines. Cal Fire has moved strike teams up from the southern region and stationed them in key locations in the affected area (prepositioning). In some areas of extreme danger (such as Los Angeles) it can actually affect parking regulations where choke points on evacuation routes exist and it can result in cars being towed from those spots if the owners fail to move them. In some local government jurisdictions fines/penalties are increased for violations. Wood cutting permits in affected federal forests are suspended as are some commercial activities in some areas and some off road areas may be closed as well. Usually during Red Flag warnings these rules will be posted for Forests and areas with unusual conditions (such as portions of SoCal), they will be broadcast by local news outlets. For the average person not in a forest it means that you need to take extreme care not to start a fire. Dont do things like weld, cut or grind metal outside (the 240,000 acre Zaca fire in 07 started this way), dispose of cigarettes properly, dont have bonfires or any type of burning for that matter and make sure when moving vehicles/equipment or towing trailers that nothing is dragging.
Posted on: Sun, 12 Oct 2014 15:35:34 +0000
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