Full Notification

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 provides daily fire weather forecasts in close coordination with local fire agencies. The Red Flag Warning Program enables firefighting agencies to manage critical resources and prepare appropriate suppression responses for protecting life and property. Red Flag Warnings are typically issued within 24 hours of an impending critical fire weather event.

Red Flag Warning Criteria

* Relative humidity is 15% or less with either sustained winds of 25 mph or greater or frequent gusts of 35 mph or greater for a duration of 6 hours or more.

* Relative humidity is 10% or less with either sustained winds of 15 mph or greater or frequent gusts of 25 mph or greater for a duration of 6 hours or more.

* Widespread and /or significant dry lightning where there is little or no rainfall associated with the lightning activity

* The discretion of the Fire Chief.

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.
Fire Weather Watch Criteria

A separate but less imminent forecast may include a Fire Weather Watch.

* Alerts fire and land management agencies of weather and critically dry fuels that could lead to dngerous wildfires and extreme fire behavior.

* Enables fire fighting agencies to manage critical resources and prepare appropriate suppression responses for protecting life and property.

* Watches are typically issued generally 12 to 72 hours in advance of potential critical fire weather conditions.

Fire Weather Zones:
Cuyama Valley – CAZ238

Defined on the north and east by the county line; on the west and south by the 3000 foot contour of the Sierra Madre Mountains.

Santa Barbara County Mountains – CAZ252

Defined on the north and east by the county line; on the south and west by the 1500 foot contour of the Sierra Madre Mountains; on the northeast by the 3000 foot contour of the Sierra Madre Mountains.