Authorities advised Los Angeles County residents to beware of open fires afterward Santa Ana winds triggered a red flag warning on Monday due to dangerous weather conditions.

The National Weather Service will be exhibiting Red flag warnings to indicate that climatic conditions have increased the risk of fire. The weather forecast will typically bring warmer temperatures, very low humidity and stronger winds, creating an environment vulnerable to the spread of dangerous wildfires.

NWS recommends everyone build a fire outside, drown it in plenty of water and make sure everything is cold to the touch. Do not leave glowing charcoal or fire unattended.

The increased risk of fire in weather conditions is similar to conditions where the Mountain fire burned through Camarillo and Moorpark in Ventura County in November.

When the fire first broke out, the eastern area of ​​Ventura County where it started was isolated under a severe, relatively rare Weather warning, known as a warning of particularly dangerous situations, which predicts the potential for volatile and rapid growth of wildfires due to conditions such as strong winds and extremely low humidity.

Cal Fire has outlined some steps residents can take to protect their homes and lives, especially given the possibility of a rapidly spreading fire breaking out during a warning.

Get Ready: Defensible Space and Hardening at Home

A defensible space is a buffer zone that helps prevent a fire from burning a building or property. Similar Control linesDefensible space can potentially prevent flames from spreading to homes while providing a safe space for firefighters to bring the fire under control.

Fire officials typically recommend a defensible space of at least 30 feet around a property.

Residents can create buffers by removing flammable brush or vegetation around their homes, such as dead or dying plants. Firefighters have created step-by-step instructions for building defensible spaces.

These steps are best combined with what firefighters call “home hardening,” which refers to the building materials used in homes.

“Giving your home the best chance of surviving a wildfire requires a combination of home security and defensible space,” Cal Fire wrote on its website.

Home hardening is essentially about using building materials that can withstand flying embers and radiant heat, previously described as “anti-inflammatory.”

Get ready

Cal Fire emphasizes the importance of having a plan in place before a wildfire breaks out nearby.

This wildfire action plan should include a meeting location, a handful of escape routes, arrangements for pets and livestock, and a communication strategy, essentially a person for family members to contact.

Firefighters created a phonetic list, the “6 Ps of Evacuation,” to help memorize everything:

• Papers on people and pets
• Phone numbers and important documents
• Prescriptions, vitamins and glasses
• Pictures and irreplaceable memorabilia
• Personal computer, hard drive and floppy disks
• “Plastic” (credit cards, ATM cards) and cash

All of these supplies fit into a “go bag” and it’s best to make one for each family member.

Be ready to go

Once preparations are made, residents don’t have to put their plans into action until a forest fire breaks out in their neighborhood.

Fire departments typically post evacuation orders and warnings on their social media pages. Residents can also sign up for text message alerts for updates or follow the Cal Fire or local fire department website.

Before evacuating, remember to review the evacuation plan with the family and ensure valuables, pets, and travel bags are in your car.

It is best to wear appropriate clothing to avoid injury from the fire’s radiant heat and flying embers. Cal Fire recommends long pants, long-sleeved shirts, heavy shoes, a hat, a face covering and glasses.