Red Flag Warning Prompts Officials To Beef Up Fire Crews

A Red Flag Warning for expected Santa Ana wind gusts of up to 65 miles per hour prompted firefighters to beef up their ranks in Riverside County, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention reported.

Cal Fire's precautionary measure would apply not just to Riverside County but to San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange and Ventura counties as well, Cal Fire officials said.

The warning issued by the National Weather Service predicted that the winds would blow into Riverside County mountains, including the San Jacinto Ranger District, starting tonight. A strong ridge of pressure is expected to result in Santa Ana conditions over Southern California for much of next week, the NWS reported.

Very dry air, coupled with periods of gusty winds, will result in what the NWS called in critical fire weather conditions.

Cal Fire officials asked the public to not mow or trim dry grass on windy days, to never pull a vehicle in dry grass and to never burn leaves or branches on No Burn Days or whenever its windy.

Firefighters also cautioned residents to target shoot in approved areas and to use lead ammunition only, and to never shoot at metal targets. Campfires should always be extinguished completely and all portable, gasoline-powered equipment should have spark arresters, Cal Fire advised.