Additional Red Flag Warning for CAZ239 Santa Barbara South Coast issued thru 12 midnight PDT tonight
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
- ADDITIONAL RED FLAG WARNING/RFW EXTENDED –
SANTA BARBARA, Ca. September 16, 2014 – The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the Santa Barbara County South Coast (zone CAZ239) in addition to the Santa Barbara County Mountains (zone CAZ252) valid through midnight tonight.
Red Flag Warning Duration: Extended to midnight Tuesday September 16th.
A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can create extreme fire behavior.
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning in Santa Barbara County due to the excessive heat for the fifth straight day. Continued extreme heat, along with low relative humidity and Sundowner Winds across the Santa Barbara South Coast are predicted for this evening. The strongest winds will be from Goleta west to Gaviota gusting to 40 mph, temperatures nearing 100 degrees, and relative humidity in the 15 to 20 percent range. These conditions will continue to bring elevated fire danger across southern California through Tuesday.
A transition to cooler temperatures is expected to begin Wednesday. A warming trend is expected to return by the beginning of next week.
In anticipation of the Red Flag Warning, the Santa Barbara County Fire Department will increase its staffing level with the addition of a Task Force. The Task Force will include three engines, one dozer, one water tender, one crew, one helicopter and one battalion chief. The Task Force will be prepositioned in the Santa Barbara South Coast and will be available to respond throughout the Santa Barbara County Operational Area.
As a result of the issuance of the Red Flag Warning, citizens should take appropriate precautions. These precautions include, but are not limited to the following:
• Report any sign of smoke immediately to your local fire department by calling 911 (if your call 911 from your cell phone, you must know your location).
• Use extreme caution when operating spark of flame producing machinery in hazardous grass or brush areas.
• Have an evacuation plan in place and identify two exit routes from your neighborhood. If you are asked to evacuate by fire or law enforcement officials, do so immediately.
• Report any suspicious persons or vehicles to law enforcement.
Contact Information:
Captain David Sadecki
Information Officer
Office 805.681-5531
Cell 805.689-0599
News Line 805.681-5546
Email [email protected]
Twitter @SBCFireInfo
Instructions:
Please use caution when working outside and report smoke from unknown sources.
Address/Location
ReadySBC Alerts
, CA
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 805-681-5526
Alert Details
- Severity:
- Unknown - Severity unknown
- Urgency:
- Unknown - Urgency not known
- Certainty:
- Likely (p > ~50%)
- Category:
- General emergency and public safety
- Event:
- Severe Weather Warning