Fire Crews Ramp Up For Intense Winds This Week In Riverside County

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — In the face of what's predicted to be an intense Santa Ana windstorm, additional firefighting resources will be deployed throughout Riverside County for the remainder of the week, it was announced Monday.

Cal Fire released a statement Monday indicating engine and hand crews are transferring from stations in Northern California to the Inland Empire, as well as Orange, San Diego and neighboring counties.

The specific count was 45 additional engines for deployment in Southern California, along with six more hand crews.

Moderate to strong northerly to northeasterly Santa Ana winds will develop Tuesday morning, with widespread gusts of 50 to 60 mph along the coastal mountain slopes and in the foothills, according to the National Weather Service. A high wind warning will be in effect through Wednesday evening across western Riverside County.

As a result of dry conditions that could see relative humidity drop to 10%, a Red Flag Warning will last through at least Thursday night in western Riverside County, according to the forecasters.

Find details on your local weather conditions from the National Weather Service.

Red Flag warnings are issued when fire danger is extremely high.

To stand ready, Cal Fire stated Riverside County "will staff additional firefighting resources above normal levels, including fire engines, hand crews, bulldozers, water tenders and supervisory personnel 24/7."

"As we experienced in Ventura County in November with the Mountain Fire, and again in December with the Franklin Fire in Malibu, wildfire is a year-round threat," Cal Fire Director Joe Tyler said. "Please be vigilant and don't be the cause of the next wildfire in your community."

• don't park vehicles in dry grass, where hot leaks can ignite the vegetation;
• when towing a trailer, "ensure chains are not dragging" on the roadway surface, causing sparks;
• make certain the household has an evacuation plan in the event of a blaze;
• have "go bags" ready and be prepared to move pets to safe shelters;
• remove "flammable items" from the immediate space around a residence, providing a minimum five-foot buffer; and
• report all suspicious activity to prevent acts of arson.

—City News Service contributed to this report.