Fire Weather Warning

It’s that time of year again. Can you feel it?

The dry air and gusty winds have created fire weather conditions in Southwestern California, and the National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning.

The warning will last until 8 p.m. on Tuesday.

It’s a good idea for residents to exercise caution during these conditions, because even a small spark could ignite a wildfire. A red flag warning is the highest on the fire weather scale.

Here are a few more tips from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection:

• Clear your property of dead weeds and vegetation.
• Remove leaves, needles and debris from your gutters.
• Trim tree branches so they are at least six-feet from the ground.
• Use of lawn mowers should be avoided in extremely dry conditions. It’s recommended to do mowing and weeding before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m. in times of low humidity.
• Make sure cigarette butts are fully extinguished.
• State law requires 100-feet of defensible space around structures. More info here.
• Spark arresters should be used on portable gas-powered equipment in the wild.
• If you’re camping, be sure campfires are permitted on the land you’re visiting. Obtain a permit if it’s required.
• Be sure your campfire is 100-percent extinguished before you leave the grounds.