(Irvine, CA) Orange County Board of Supervisors Chair Patricia C. Bates will join the Orange County Fire Authority
(OCFA) and OC Parks officials Thursday to announce a new, countywide fire watch program to alert the public of
elevated fire dangers in wilderness parks and communities across Orange County. The press conference
introducing OC Fire Watch will take place Thursday, Nov. 12 at 11 a.m. at the Orange County Fire Authority
Headquarters, 1 Fire Authority Road in Irvine.
Wildfires are more likely to occur and spread during Red Flag conditions, when strong winds are accompanied by
low humidity levels and high temperatures. OC Fire Watch will increase public awareness of the fire dangers by
raising red Fire Alert flags at OC Parks and other County facilities, as well as at OCFA fire stations and
participating City Halls throughout Orange County. The program will also incorporate fire watch volunteers to help
monitor the County’s wilderness parks, which are especially vulnerable to fire during Red Flag conditions.
The memories of last year’s Freeway Complex Fire and the Santiago Fire two years ago still linger as painful
reminders of the devastation wildfires can inflict on our wilderness areas and nearby residential communities
said Supervisor Bates. I proposed the Red Flag program and volunteer component of OC Fire Watch to involve
the public in our effort to protect lives, property and our natural areas during periods of extreme fire danger.
OCFA and OC Parks are to be commended for their participation in this important joint effort.
OC Parks and OCFA will raise Fire Alert flags at their respective facilities during designated Red Flag conditions,
which will be based on CALFIRE advisories.
OC Parks manages nearly 40,000 acres of beautiful parkland and wilderness that is still largely in its natural,
undisturbed state, OC Parks Director Mark Denny said. But extra vigilance is needed to protect it during Red Flag
conditions. Time is of the essence to prevent largescale damage to these wilderness areas and nearby homes.
OC Parks will coordinate the deployment of OC Fire Watch volunteers in and around the County’s wilderness areas
during designated Red Flag conditions. OCFA will train the fire watch volunteers in communication procedures and
map reading, as well as how to recognize and report potentially dangerous situations.
The OC Fire Watch program will heighten public awareness of increased fire dangers, OCFA Chief Keith Richter
said. Orange County residents should take personal responsibility for protecting themselves, their families and
their properties. OC Fire Watch, along with OCFA’s Ready! Set! Go! Program can help you through advanced
planning and preparation.
Submitted By;
Marisa O’Neil, OC Parks at (714) 310-5478 or marisa.oneil@ocparks.com
Lynnette Round, OCFA at (714) 290-7772 or lynnetteround@ocfa.org
Sergio Prince, Supervisor Bates Office at (949) 933-0595 or sergio.prince@ocgov.com
