Red Flag Warning issued for Ventura County, residents are advised to be prepared
A Fire Department aviation unit drops water and fire retardant onto a small hot spot on the outskirts of the Woolsey Fire in Thousand Oaks on Nov. 10, 2018. The Woolsey Fire burned 96,949 acres, destroying 1,643 structures. Photo credit: Ryan Bough
October 22, 2019
Ventura County has been issued a Red Flag Warning to take effect Thursday at 1 a.m. following a notice from the National Weather Service informing Southern California residents of yet another wave of incoming Santa Ana winds.
Though the Red Flag Warning has been issued to begin early Thursday morning, winds are set to pick up as soon as Tuesday night. In a statement from the National Weather Service in reference to the oncoming conditions, “This is a dangerous situation with an environment ripe for large and fast fire growth, and a Red Flag Warning is in effect as a result.”
The Red Flag Warning is currently set to expire Friday night at 10 p.m. Until then, wind gusts are expected to range from 20-40 mph with gusts of up to 65 mph in hill and valley areas. The dangerous winds combined with relatively low humidity and a high heat index are a risk for potential wildfire conditions.
With the Santa Ana season off to an early start, Ventura County residents are on high alert. The Wendy Fire that broke out in Newbury Park on Oct. 10 along with the the Saddleridge Fire in the neighboring Los Angeles County, offered up a grim reminder of last seasons Hill and Woolsey Fires for Ventura County residents.
In an email addressed to students and faculty, Moorpark College has warned of a possible power outage from Southern California Edison on Thursday. Students and faculty members are reminded to update contact information in order to receive any emergency notifications from the college.
To better prepare for a Public Safety Power Shutoff safety officials recommend all residents to have an emergency kit on hand with first aid supplies, medications, food, water, flashlights, batteries, a radio, power banks to charge phones and cash.
It is vital that all residents of Ventura County are registered with VC Alert to receive emergency notifications within your area. If an evacuation is called for by the Ventura County Fire Department it is important to obey these orders for the safety of all residents.
The Moorpark Reporter will continue to update residents regarding any major incidents of fire or emergency.
