A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring or will occur soon. The Santa Barbara County Fire Department reminds residents that a Red Flag Warning is a combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures that can create extreme fire behavior. Red Flag Warnings are issued by the National Weather Service usually 24 hours in advance of a Red Flag Event. The Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management has partnered with local fire officials to create a text messaging system for local residents when a Red Flag Warning is issued in Santa Barbara County. Residents can simply text the word redflag to 888777. By receiving the message from emergency officials, residents in the high fire hazard areas can increase their awareness and vigilance.

The Santa Barbara County Fire Department reminds residents that as a result of the issuance of a Red Flag Warning, citizens should take appropriate precautions that 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 or 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.

For more information about your personal wildfire action plan, please visit www.sbcfire.com and go to Ready! Set! Go! program.

Retired California Fire Marshals Kate Dargan and Ronny Coleman talk about their recent article WILDFIRE: Past, Present and Future on Community Alert, sponsored by the California FireSafe Council. Click HERE

Disaster Readiness Tips Aimed at Santa Barbara County Residents
Are you Radio Ready?

During an emergency you need information.  The County Office of Emergency Services works with local radio stations and other media to get that information to you.  When you are in your car, or when emergencies result in power loss, local radio stations help keep you informed.

Many residents have learned the hard way that they need a battery powered or hand-crank portable radio in their home and at their office to keep informed.  When the power goes out and telephones, cellular phones and televisions aren’t working, listening to the radio can help get you important information.

To find out which radio stations are in your area and are part of the Radio Ready program, visit the Radio Ready website at http://www.countyofsb.org/uploadedFiles/ceo/oes/radio%20ready%20english.pdf.

The Aware and Prepare PSA campaign is the product of a partnership among Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management and the cities of Santa Maria, Guadalupe, Buellton, Solvang, Lompoc, Goleta, Carpinteria, and Santa Barbara. 

These PSA’s are part of larger efforts to prepare Santa Barbara County residents.  The website, www.AwareandPrepare.org, hosts the PSA’s as well as provides links and information to supplement the content of the spots. 

Media outlets that are participating by airing the PSA campaign are: County of Santa Barbara Government Access Television, City of Santa Barbara Government Access Television, City of Goleta Government Access Television, City of Carpinteria Government Access Television, Lompoc TAP TV, Santa Maria Community Television, The Santa Barbara Channels, UCSB, KEYT-TV, KCOY-TV, KSBY-TV, KKFX-TV, KMPR-TV Univision, Cox Communications, San Marcos Pass Emergency Radio System 1040 AM, Montecito Fire Radio 1610 AM, KCSB-FM, KIST-FM, KSPE-FM, KZSB 1290 AM, KIDI-FM, KTAP 1600, KRTO-FM, ParentClick.com, KUHL 1440, KRAZ-FM, KSYV-FM, KSMA 1410 AM, KTAS-TV Telemundo, Metropolitan Theatres, Santa Maria Times, Lompoc Record and the Santa Ynez Valley Journal.

Are you interested in learning more about how to protect you and your family? Click HERE to learn more about a CERT program near you. 

Start your year off with a worthwhile family project.

20 Weeks to Preparedness
Building a Disaster Supplies Kit Checklist
HERE

COMMUNITY ALERT SHOW
20 Weeks to Preparedness
HERE