In California, wildfires are a constant concern, making preparedness essential. Understanding terms from the National Weather Service (NWS), like “Red Flag Warning” and “Particularly Dangerous Situation” (PDS), can help you stay ready for wildfire season.

A Red Flag Warning means that warm temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds are expected to combine, creating a heightened risk of fire danger. This alert prompts residents and agencies to stay on high alert to prevent fires or respond quickly if one ignites.

Key safety tips during Red Flag Warnings include:

• Do not discard cigarettes or matches from moving vehicles. They may ignite dry grass on the side of the road and become a widlfire.

• Properly extinguish all outdoor fires by drowning fires with plenty of water and stirring to make sure everything is cold to the touch. Dunk charcoal in water until cold. Do not throw live charcoal on the ground and leave it.

• Never leave a fire unattended. Sparks or embers can blow into leaves or grass, ignite a fire, and quickly spread.

• If you are allowed to burn in your area, all burn barrels must be covered with a weighted metal cover, with holes no larger than 3/4 of an inch.

In especially severe situations, a “Particularly Dangerous Situation” (PDS) Red Flag Warning may be issued. This rare alert signifies an extreme wildfire risk due to conditions like high winds, very low humidity, drought, or a combination of these factors, which make fires likely to spread uncontrollably. A PDS warning signals a serious need for caution, urging residents to follow evacuation orders, avoid outdoor activities that might ignite fires, and stay prepared for rapid changes.

A Fire Weather Watch is a preliminary alert issued 12-72 hours in advance when critical fire weather conditions may develop. While less urgent than a Red Flag Warning, it encourages communities to stay prepared for potentially escalating fire risks.

Understanding and responding to these alerts can make a critical difference in staying safe. To learn more about the criteria for these alerts, visit https://www.weather.gov/bou/RFW_Definitions. To learn more about how you can stay prepared this wildfire season, visit our Emergency Preparedness Tips link in the navigation bar or by clicking the link here: https://alertsouthbay.com/emergency-preparedness-tips

Weather Related Information

Storm Preparedness

The National Weather Service is forecasting a second storm in the Los Angeles Area  beginning Sunday (2/4) and may last through Wednesday (2/7) bringing 3-5 inches of rain into the SouthBay. They are predicting the potential for heavy rain and flooding within the next 24-36 hours. We are advising residents to be prepared and to take four important steps to get prepared:

 When preparing for the storm, take the following actions:

• Have an emergency plan for your family, friends and neighborhood so that you can stay safe and connected during an emergency. This includes making a list of emergency contacts, identifying meeting points if you are separated, and having two-ways to get in and out of your home and neighborhood.

• Gather emergency supplies that will allow you to either shelter in place during the storm, including food, water, radios, medication, and pet supplies, or create a Go-Bag if you need to evacuate. Think of the FIVE P’s:

1. People

2. Pets

3. Pills (Medications)

4. Photos (Including photo documentation of your home for insurance purposes)

5. Papers (Documents such as utility bills, birth certificates, etc)

• Prepare for power outages with batteries, flashlights, backup cell phone chargers, and charging cables.

• Sign up to receive text, email, and phone call emergency alerts for your home, work, and school at www.alertsouthbay.com. Important alerts on evacuations, road closures and other hazards will be communicated through the City’s Alert SouthBay Emergency Alerting System. 

Evacuation WARNING vs. an Evacuation ORDER: What’s the Difference

• Evacuation Warning: If you receive an evacuation warning, this means you need to start preparing to leave. If you have animals, children, or need additional time evacuating, this is the time to leave.

• Evacuation Order: If you receive an evacuation order, this means you need to leave immediately. Emergency responders have determined there is an imminent life safety risk and you need to evacuate.

Always remember, you don’t have to wait to evacuate. If you feel unsafe, LEAVE.

Create an Evacuation Plan

• Have multiple routes out of your neighborhood and have a hard copy map with your identified routes. Discuss where you will meet family or friends if you are separated.

• Make sure you have at least half a tank of gas in your car.

• Identify where you will go once you evacuate. Right now, during the COVID-19 Pandemic, it may be better to evacuate to a friend or loved one’s house than a designated shelter or hotel, although approved shelters are following CDC guidelines.

• Create a Go-Bag with the following at a minimum:

  • Map

  • Medications

  • Change of Clothes

  • Extra set of keys

  • Glasses/Contact Lenses

  • First-aid

  • Shoes

  • Phone Chargers

  • Food and Water

  • Copies of ID, Credit Cards, Passports, Important Documents

  • Cash in small bills

  • Flashlights (with working batteries)

  • Hard Drives/Flash-Drive

  • Family Photos/Comfort Items

  • Sanitation Supplies (include masks)

  • Activities for Children

  • Create a separate bag for pets-include a leash and vaccine records.

• Mitigate your risk by following proper brush clearance laws around your home, installing smoke detectors (or ensuring the batteries are working), having a fire extinguisher, and identifying 2-ways out of every room in your home. 

  Make a Quick Checklist 

  Make a quick checklist and post near your exit routes around your home (front door, back door, etc.). Here is a quick checklist to get you started. Make sure to list the location of items to help you in high-stress situations. It's also a good conversation starter to have with your family now in a safe, non-scary environment.  

  If I Have No Time

  • People and Pets

  • Go-Bag (with SHOES)

  If I have 5-Minutes

  • Medications (list location)

  • Glasses (location)

  • Laptop/Cell Phone/Chargers (location)

  • Essential Medical Equipment (if applicable and location)

  If I have 30-Minutes (in addition to the above)

  • Photo Albums

  • Family Portraits

  • Stuffed Animals (comfort items)

  • Change of Clothing (for everyone) 

  More preparedness information can be found at https://lacounty.gov/emergency/emergency-survival-guide/ 

###