FEMA Closely Monitors Santa Ana Winds
Release Date: November 21, 2007
Release Number: HQ-07-231
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is closely monitoring offshore Santa Ana winds in Southern California. According to the National Weather Service, strong offshore winds, low humidity and dry fuels could enhance the risk of a wildfire.
FEMA will continue to coordinate with federal partners, tribal, state and local governments and voluntary agencies. FEMA stands ready to support if needed.
Coordination includes:
- FEMA: Initial response resources, such as blankets, cots and meals, are housed at the Moffett Distribution Center. An Incident Response Vehicle and several Mobile Emergency Operations Vehicles are in California.
- Pasadena Joint Field Office (JFO): The JFO continues to monitor the Santa Ana winds and will coordinate with the California Office of Emergency Services (OES), Emergency Support Function-4 (ESF-4) Firefighting and the National Weather Service as needed.
- National Interagency Fire Center: Fire managers in southern California are pre-positioning resources.
- U.S. Forest Service: Air tankers, heli-tankers, helicopters, fire-fighting crews and engines are available.
- US Northern Command: Rotary wing aircraft are on stand-by and the Joint Force Headquarters-California joint operation center is prepared to move air assets.
- National Guard Bureau: The National Guard Bureau Joint Enabling Teams and aircraft are available and on call.
- California OES: Strike teams, engines and equipment is available for response.
- California Fire: Aircraft, personnel and equipment is available for response.
While the federal government continues to monitor and prepare for possible wildfire risks, FEMA urges citizens to also be cautious. There are steps individuals can take now to protect their families in the event of a wildfire.
Be aware: Learn about the history of wildfire in your area. Be aware of recent weather; long periods without rain increases the risk of wildfire. Consider having a professional inspect your property and offer recommendations for reducing the wildfire risk and know your community's ability to respond to wildfire.
Learn and teach safe fire practices:
- Build fires away from nearby trees or bushes.
- Always have a way to extinguish the fire quickly and completely.
- Install smoke detectors on every level of your home and near sleeping areas.
- Never leave a fire-even a cigarette-burning unattended.
- Avoid open burning completely, and especially during dry season.
Protect your home: All vegetation is fuel for a wildfire, though some trees and shrubs are more flammable than others. To reduce the risk, modify or eliminate brush, trees and other vegetation near your home. The greater the distance is between your home and the vegetation, the greater the protection. Leaves, trash and other combustible materials should be cleared from underneath sun decks and porches. Find more information on ways to protect your home at www.fema.gov/hazard/wildfire/wf_prepare.shtm#3.
Stay informed and be ready for an emergency evacuation: Evacuation may be the only way to protect your family in a wildfire. Know where to go and what to bring with you. You should plan several escape routes in case roads are blocked by a wildfire. Make sure you know how to contact members of your family and have an emergency contact number for someone out of state that knows where you are in the event of an emergency.
Advance planning and knowing how to protect your family can lessen the devastation of a wildfire. Individuals should visit www.fema.gov for more information on how to prepare for wildfires and other disasters and to obtain a copy of the "Are You Ready" Guide to Citizen Preparedness.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 21-Nov-2007 14:21:04