MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2020
City of Laguna Beach Prepares for Heightened Fire Weather Conditions
The City of Laguna Beach is prepared for extreme heat and heightened fire weather conditions this week as extreme fire weather conditions continue across Southern California.
With a dangerous combination of warm weather, increasing Santa Ana winds and low relative humidity, Laguna Beach residents are urged to maintain an elevated sense of awareness during extreme weather conditions.
What is the City Doing to Prepare?
• In addition to the Laguna Beach Fire Department’s normal operations, firefighters will conduct roving fire patrols in neighborhoods, on the Fire Road and at trailheads, and will increase staffing over the next four days if Santa Ana winds increase.
• Police Department Beach Patrol Officers will continue the fire watch on the Fire Road and in the Laguna Canyon Road open space, will conduct fire drone patrols over the open space, and will perform a test of the City’s new Outdoor Warning System October 7.
• CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) volunteers will staff a daytime fire watch and heat and fire information canopy at Alta Laguna Park.
• Laguna Beach Fire and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department are also continuing their annual training along the Fire Road today to practice filling water dropping helicopters.
• The City’s Emergency Operations Coordinator and Management Team are communicating daily to address needs as it arises.
“Although the fire threat is greatest in Inland Orange County, we are urging Laguna Beach residents to be prepared, and to use extreme caution over the next few days.” said Laguna Beach Fire Chief Mike Garcia. “We do not anticipate a local Red Flag condition, but we are prepared if needed.”
Click HERE to watch Chief Garcia's 2020 Wildfire Season Update.
The City of Laguna Beach urges extreme caution, because a simple spark can cause a major wildfire.
- Report fire or smoke incidents immediately by calling 9-1-1. Open fires are never allowed within the City of Laguna Beach.
- Create defensible space by removing all combustibles from around your home, including dead and dying vegetation, and trim/maintain your landscaping.
- If you have a driveway or garage, please use it. Please keep roads clear for emergency vehicles and evacuations by not parking on narrow streets.
Evaluate Your Preparedness Levels Now
- Create an emergency plan with your family, know your neighborhood evacuation routes and be Ready, get Set, and when told, GO!
- Register for AlertOC which is the mass notification system for Orange County and the City by going to www.alertoc.com, make sure you include your cell phone number, text number, and email addresses so we can contact you no matter where you are.
3. Register for Nixle. In order to ensure you are contacted during a local emergency or Red Flag Warning, please text 92651 to 888-777.
When Red Flag Warnings are issued by the National Weather Service, this information will be shared on the City’s website, social media accounts, official press releases, and through Nixle.
Laguna Beach Fire Crews Return Home from El Dorado Fire
One Laguna Beach Fire Crew Remains on Bobcat Fire
Laguna Beach Firefighters are working the Bobcat Fire in the Angeles National Forest.
They are part of a strike team on night duty (7:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m.) made up of engines from Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley, and Costa Mesa.
They have spent recent nights protecting Mount Wilson and surrounding structures with backfire and contingency lines. Our current crew relieved a different crew from Laguna that had been working the fire for 14 days.
