Wildfire Events
Red Flag Warnings
Avoid a serious fire by following some basic precautions under any circumstances, but especially when there is a red flag warning—the fire danger rating symbol to the left of this box is updated every 15 minutes on this page.
Wildland fires can start from any number of factors: a cigarette butt discarded in a non-designated area, a vehicle that has been parked on dry grass, a campfire that has not been properly put out, and even lightning.
Some basic fire safety tips to remember in dry conditions:
- If you drive and smoke in your vehicle, use the ashtray. Never flick cigarette butts out vehicle windows. In fact, never flick cigarette butts outdoors under any circumstances.
- To prevent accidental fires from exhaust systems or catalytic converters on cars, trucks, all-terrain vehicles, motor homes, and other spark-emitting equipment, keep vehicles off dry grass. Check spark arresters and be prepared if you must go off paved or cleared roads by having a shovel and fire extinguisher in your vehicle or equipment as a precaution if a fire should start.
- If you are camping and campfires are allowed, build fires only in approved, metal or concrete-lined fire pits in designated campgrounds. And most importantly, make sure your campfire is completely out and cold to the touch before leaving.
For more information about wildfire prevention and safety, go to http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens /all_citizens/home_fire_prev/wildfire/.
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Preventing Fires at Home
Five things you can do to protect your family
- Keep your garage cleaned out and organized.
- Have fire extinguishers in the kitchen and garage.
- Keep a hose handy when cooking hamburgers outdoors.
- Don't leave aerosol cans out in the summer sun.
- Store extra gasoline and flammables in a cool dry place and in proper containers (no glass).
Watch
Stovetop Fire Safety How to put out an oil fire on your stovetop without getting burned
Video
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