Red Flag Issued Today
Incident #: Date of Incident: 8/22/2011 Issuing Officer: AC Schaeffer
Narrative:
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for Spokane, Lincoln, Stevens, Kittitas, Klickitat, Benton, Franklin, Yakima and Walla Walla Counties starting late morning through late evening today with sustained winds at 15-25 and gusts to 40 mph expected and RH down to 15-20 percent. A "Red Flag Warning" is a forecast warning issued by the NWS to inform area firefighting and land management agencies that conditions are ideal for wildland fire ignition and propagation. After drought conditions when humidity is very low, and especially when high or erratic winds which may include lightning are factors, the "Red Flag Warning" becomes a critical statement for firefighting agencies: agencies often alter staffing and equipment resources dramatically to accommodate the forecast risk. To the public, a "Red Flag Warning" means high fire danger with increased probability of a quickly spreading vegetation fire in the area within 24 hours. Fire season in Spokane County becomes especially severe when a lack of rain results in dry vegetation. However, there are easy steps that community members can take to protect their homes, their property, and themselves. Spokane Fire Department urges everyone to follow these guidelines: -Be careful with fire. It is estimated that people cause 90% of wildfires. -Create a defensible space around all structures by clearing flammable vegetation to a minimum of 100' or to the property line. -Remove tree limbs within 10' of chimneys and stovepipes. -Remove pine needles and leaves from roofs, eaves, and rain gutters. -Remember that lawnmowers are for use on lawns. Do not use them on dry grass or weeds; doing so can start a fire. -Always mow before 10 a.m. Dry grass has the highest amount of moisture during the morning hours. -Dispose of cigarettes properly. Do not discard cigarettes on roadsides or in dry grass. -Be alert: Immediately report small fires by calling 9-1-1. -Avoid activities in or adjacent to dry grass or brush covered areas, such as weed mowing or disking, metal cutting, grinding or welding, using chain saws or any other activity that could produce a spark or flame. -Park vehicles with hot catalytic converters only on paved or dirt areas; not on grass. Most important: Have a plan for gathering family members, pets, and valuables in case an approaching wildfire requires evacuation. Visit www.ReadySetGoSpokane.org for quick and easy information on how to streamline your plan.
Cause:
N/A
Damage:
N/A
End Of Release For more information on this release please call (509) 625-7002
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