Los Angeles County Urges Preparation for Strong Winds and Elevated Fire Risk on Saturday
The Los Angeles County Fire Department, Sheriff's Department and Office of Emergency Management in California alerted the public on November 6 to higher fire risk as the county prepares for strong Santa Ana winds and an elevated fire weather forecast for Saturday, November 7.
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for much of Los Angeles County from 2 a.m. through 6 p.m. Saturday. Very low humidity and strong winds will create conditions capable of producing rapid fire spread and extreme fire behavior if a fire starts. Gusts of 30 to 45 miles per hour are forecast in mountain areas, with widespread gusty winds across many valleys and mountain communities. Residents should also prepare for utility-initiated Public Safety Power Shutoffs and unplanned outages caused by wind damage, which can disrupt communications, traffic signals and electrically powered medical equipment. Caltrans, in coordination with Los Angeles County Public Works and the Sheriff's Department, will restrict access to Topanga Canyon Boulevard between Mulholland Highway and Pacific Coast Highway in the unincorporated community of Topanga in the Santa Monica Mountains to residents only, from 2 a.m. through 6 p.m. Saturday.
Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone said the Fire Department has augmented staffing and pre-positioned additional ground and aerial resources across the county. Sheriff Robert Luna said the Sheriff's Department is ensuring personnel and resources are prepared to respond quickly through heightened monitoring, close coordination with law enforcement partners and strategic staffing. Kevin McGowan, Director of the Office of Emergency Management, said OEM's 24-hour Watch Center is continuously monitoring conditions and coordinating with response partners.
Residents are urged to know their evacuation zone (at protect.genasys.com or via the Genasys mobile app), keep supplies including water and daily medication packed and ready, understand the difference between an evacuation warning and an evacuation order, register for Alert LA County and their city's emergency notification system, and keep a battery-powered radio available. Generators must be used outdoors, away from doors and windows, and never indoors or in a garage. Preparedness information is at ready.lacounty.gov; call 211 for preparedness resources and referrals, and 911 for an immediate threat to life or safety.
(Source: Los Angeles County Coordinated Joint Information Center)
Source: Los Angeles County Coordinated Joint Information Center
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：圣安娜风助长南加州野火的卫星影像（2017年资料图）。美国国家海洋和大气管理局（NOAA），公共领域，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: Satellite image of Santa Ana winds fueling Southern California wildfires (2017 file image). NOAA, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
