Santa Clara County Fire Department

Red Flag Fire Warnings

red flag

A "Red Flag Warning" is a forecast warning issued by the United States National Weather Service to inform area firefighting agencies that conditions are ideal for wildland fire ignition and propagation. A "Red Flag Warning" means high fire danger with increased probability of a quickly spreading vegetation fire in the area within 24 hours.

Red flags will fly at all Santa Clara County Fire Department fire stations to alert the public when the National Weather Service has issued a "Red Flag Warning" for Santa Clara County. Use of the red flags is one element of Santa Clara County Fire Department's comprehensive effort to enhance our community members' knowledge regarding fire prevention and defensible space requirements.

Community members can take steps to protect their homes, their property, and themselves. Santa Clara County Fire Department urges everyone to follow these guidelines:

  • Be careful with fire. It is estimated that people cause 90% of wildfires.
  • Create a defensible space around all structures by clearing flammable vegetation to a minimum of 100' or to the property line.
  • Remove tree limbs within 10' of chimneys and stovepipes.
  • Remove pine needles and leaves from roofs, eaves, and rain gutters.
  • Remember that lawnmowers are for use on lawns. Do not use them on dry grass or weeds; doing so can start a fire.
  • Always mow before 10am. Dry grass has the highest amount of moisture during the morning hours.
  • Dispose of cigarettes properly. Do not discard cigarettes on roadsides or in dry grass.
  • Be alert: Immediately report small fires by calling 9-1-1.
  • Avoid activities in or adjacent to dry grass or brush covered areas, such as weed mowing or disking, metal cutting, grinding or welding, using chain saws or any other activity that could produce a spark or flame.
  • Park vehicles with hot catalytic converters only on paved or dirt areas; not on grass.
  • Most important: Have a plan for gathering family members, pets, and valuables in case an approaching wildfire requires evacuation.

Santa Clara County Fire Department and California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) Santa Clara Unit participate in alerting the community of "Red Flag Warnings."

In addition to flying red flags on extreme fire weather days, the Santa Clara County Fire Department is teaching wildland fire safety awareness to community members as part of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training.

For additional information about fire safety and fire resistant landscaping, contact Santa Clara County Fire Department or log onto the following websites:

Click for a form printable brochure with Red Flag information or the form media release. These can also be found on the forms page.

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