Orange County in for a Long, Hot and Dry Fire Season

By Lauren Adiova

Orange County can expect another dangerous fire season this summer.

According to a National Interagency Fire Center report, residents of Southern California can expect above-normal fire potential for the foothills and interior mountains now through August.

“Right now, the humidity is low and it has been dry recently.  As a result, we are seeing conditions that are not normally seen,” said Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Jon Muir. “Dry conditions are being seen earlier than the usual July.”

Orange County can expect to have above-normal temperatures in May and June with no significant rainfall. Rainfall was under 25 percent of normal in April in Southern California, which has resulted in fuels being receptive to ignite several weeks early.

In order to help prevent wildfire damage, the Fire Authority held a press conference showcasing their new interface engines as well as their command and rehab trailers. The OCFA also promoted a program to help families take steps to prevent wildfires from destroying their homes.

“We want people to be proactive and learn about and implement the program Ready, Set, Go! It's about clearing defensible space in the homes near the brush and having a bag that has enough supplies to evacuate for a few days and to evacuate their residents when law enforcement official make that recommendations,” Muir said.

This fire season, residents can follow Ready, Set, Go! as a fire-prevention resource. The program teaches families around Orange County to be responsible and prepare before a wildfire occurs so homes are ready in case of a fire. It also recommends packing vehicles with items in case of an emergency and asks families to stay updated on the latest news from local media fire departments.

For more on Ready, Set, Go! visit the website.