[ad_1]
Orange County’s firefighters are bracing for a possible wildfire amidst several burning in Los Angeles County, asking residents to be prepared to evacuate if necessary.
Right now, most of the county is under both a red flag fire warning and a wind advisory from the National Weather Service until Wednesday night, joining large parts of San Diego, San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
Orange County Fire Authority PIO Paul Holaday said all OC fire stations are manned in case response is needed in town. He also emphasized the importance of readiness and quick evacuations if orders are handed down.
“Our ask for the community is if the evacuation orders come, that you heed the warnings and the orders and let us get in there and do our jobs,” Holaday said during a Friday interview.
Projections from the Santa Ana Wildfire Threat Index, which is managed by the US Forest Service, show winds of at least 20 to 30 mph with gusts of up to 50 mph are expected through Wednesday, leaving the county in “moderate” danger of a wildfire.
“Upon ignition, fires will grow rapidly and will be difficult to control,” the meter states, recommending people pull together an emergency evacuation kit.
The OC Fire Authority has already sent 125 firefighters north — roughly 10% of the agency’s personnel — but two of their six strike teams have been recalled.
Metro Cities Fire Authority, which provides 911 dispatcher services to the cities of Anaheim, Brea, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, and Orange, according to their website, sent another 15 fire engines to Los Angeles.
Orange County Fire Chief Brian Fennessy called the flames “unstoppable” during an interview with 60 Minutes.
“Mother Nature owned us,” says Orange County Fire Chief Brian Fennessy, who called the L.A. fires “unstoppable.” pic.twitter.com/pdsCuFOWSC
— 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) January 13, 2025
Most of the county’s air quality is unaffected by the smoke from the fires as of Monday according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District, which only flagged the northern coastline from Seal Beach to Huntington Beach as areas of “moderate” concern.
Holaday said OCFA sent an “unprecedented” amount of firefighters and engines to Los Angeles County, including one of the authority’s new Firehawk helicopters obtained last year.
“Orange County prioritizes helping our neighbors in time of need, but our priority one is our own citizens in Orange County in case something happens here,” he said.
Holaday also referred residents to the “Ready, Set, Go!” guidelines on how to prepare for a potential evacuation, including clearing vegetation around a home and covering up vents with mesh.
“Be ready, be set, and then when the evacuation orders come, go so you can get out safely in a timely manner,” he said.
To read other guidelines, click here.
Noah Biesiada is a Voice of OC reporter and corps member with Report for America, a GroundTruth initiative. Contact him at nbiesiada@voiceofoc.org or on Twitter @NBiesiada.
Angelina Hicks is a Voice of OC Tracy Wood Reporting Fellow. Contact her at ahicks@voiceofoc.org or on Twitter @angelinahicks13.
•••
Can you support Voice of OC with a donation?
You obviously care about local news and value good journalism here in Orange County. With your support, we can bring you more stories like these.
Related
[ad_2]
Source link
