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Fire officials warn the public of potential dangers amid Red Flag Warning

WindAdvisoryPIC

MONTEREY, Calif. (KION)

A Red Flag Warning has been issued due to strong winds by the National Weather Service, San Francisco, in areas including the San Lucia Mountains, Los Padres National Forest, San Benito County mountains and interior mountains of Monterey County, according to Cal Fire Forester, Jonathan Pangburn.

The warning is in effect from 7 p.m., January 18th to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, January 19th.

With current high winds and high temperatures, Deputy Fire Marshal, Dorothy Priolo with Monterey County Regional Fire District warns the public to be extra cautious of their surroundings to avoid potential fires and other dangers.

“We not only have the risk of obvious things like trees falling or branches falling into power lines, but we also have a risk of fire spreading much more rapidly than it would at any other time of the year," says Priolo.

Just 5 months earlier, the Central Coast experienced some of the biggest fires in local and state history, including the Dolan Fire near Big Sur and the River Fire in Salinas which destroyed thousands of acres.

“This weather spell that we’re experiencing right now, it was a holiday weekend, a lot of people were out trying to get some fresh air because it was quite pleasant and even warm, especially for this time of year, that just builds the possibility for more fires happening in our area," says Pangburn.

Local fire departments like Cal Fire and Monterey County Regional Fire District say they have increased staff and resources in preparation.

“We have staffed up additional bulldozers and fire engines in our unit in San Benito and Monterey County," says Pangburn.

Priolo warns people to avoid any outdoor activities and equipment that may cause a spark and lead to a fire, such as motorized yard equipment like leaf blowers and weed eaters powered by gasoline.

Priolo adds people should refrain from open flame activities like barbecuing and using fire pits.

Another concern for Priolo is the potential for downed power lines or trees due to the powerful winds.

In that event, Priolo says people should keep a distance and call 911.

“We want to leave it up to the professionals to enter those areas and don’t want any hazard of electrocution, we don’t want to add more patients to the scene and we don’t expect the public to handle those hazards," says Priolo.

Cal Fire Forester Pangburn says people should be prepared with an evacuation plan in case of an emergency.

For more tips and information, visit https://www.readyforwildfire.org

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Jocelyn Ortega

Jocelyn Ortega is a multi-media journalist at KION News Channel 5/46.

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