Why Do We Have Red flag fire danger in Riverside?

11/4/2019 (Permalink)

In less than 30 seconds, a small flame can turn into a major fire. Protect yourself and your family by preparing in advance.

Fire is FAST!

In less than 30 seconds, a small flame can turn into a major fire.  There is little time to escape. It only takes minutes for thick black smoke to fill your home.

Santa Anas are dry, warm (often hot) winds that blow westward through Southern California toward the coast. They're usually seasonal, and typically occur between October and March and peak in December. They originate when high pressure systems form over the high-elevation deserts of the Great Basin between the Sierra Nevada's and the Rocky Mountains. Air from the system flows clockwise, so winds on the southern side of the system push west towards the Pacific Ocean.

The winds pass over the mountains between coastal California and the inland deserts. As they flow downslope, the air gets compressed and rises in temperature at a rate of almost 29 degrees per mile of descent. While air's temperature rises, its relative humidity drops, commonly to less than 20 percent and sometimes to even less than 10 percent. The winds also increase dramatically in speed when they're forced through narrow mountain passes and canyons.

By the time the winds hit the coastal areas, they're very dry, warm, and moving fast. This is what makes them problematic. They dry out vegetation, making it better fuel for a fire—and once a fire starts, the winds fan the flames and help spread them.  From Mentalfloss.com.

The California of Forestry & Fire Protections says, " A Red Flag Warning is issued for weather events which may result in extreme fire behavior that will occur within 24 hours. A Fire Weather Watch is issued when weather conditions could exist in the next 12-72 hours. A Red Flag Warning is the highest alert. During these times extreme caution is urged by all residents, because a simple spark can cause a major wildfire. A Fire Weather Watch is one level below a warning, but fire danger is still high."

According to the National Fire Protection Association:

• Seventy-one percent of households have a fire escape plan, but only 47% of those have practiced it.
• One-third believe they have at least six minutes before a fire in their home becomes life-threatening.
• Only 8% said their first thought was to get out when they heard the smoke alarm.

It's clear from this survey that many in our community probably don't understand the life-threatening risks from heat and toxic smoke produced in a modern home fire. Fire departments need to re-enforce these messages about the characteristics of fire: Fire is FAST. Fire is DARK. Fire is HOT. Fire is DEADLY!

Thirty years ago, people had 17 minutes to escape a home fire: now they have about two minutes. New construction practices and materials, as well as the furniture inside, cause fires to burn faster. Another hazard found in many homes is synthetic materials such as rubber, plastic or foam. When those materials burn, they can cause cyanide poisoning. Most people who die in a fire die from smoke inhalation, not burns.

Fire is FAST!

In less than 30 seconds, a small flame can turn into a major fire. 

Fire is HOT!  If you inhale the super-hot air in a home fire, it will scorch your lungs.  Heat is more threatening than flames.  Room temperature can rise to 600 degrees F at eye level. 

Fire is dark!  If you wake up to a fire you may be blinded disoriented and unable to find your way around your home.  Fire isn't bright.  But quickly produces black smoke and complete darkness.  

Fire is DEADLY!  The odorless, colorless fumes from a home fire can lull you into a deep sleep. You may not wake up in time to escape.  Smoke and toxic gases kill  more  people than flames do. 

Plan it

The first step is working with your household to develop a plan for home. IAFC’s Ready, Set, Go! Program’s "Your Personal Wildland Fire Action Guide" provides handy checklists that will walk you through creating a family disaster plan, building emergency kits, identifying where to get wildfire updates from, and knowing when to evacuate. 

Homeowners can reduce their risk of loss to wildfire this time of year by making simple and low-cost improvements to their home and landscape. Some of these activities are typical fall home maintenance projects, such as: