Southern California’s latest Red Flag Warning includes portions of Irvine that were affected by the Silverado Fire and Bond Fire last year.

Citing high winds, low humidity and the potential for wildfire danger, the National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning on Sunday, Jan. 17, for Riverside and Ventura counties, including the inland and Santa Ana mountain regions of Orange County.

On Monday, Jan. 18, in Irvine, the area north of Orchard Hills, surrounding Irvine Lake, Portola Hills, Modjesak Canyon and Silverado Canyon, were currently listed under Public Safety Power Shutoff consideration, according to the Southern California Edison website.

Orange County Fire Authority Public Information Officer Greg Barta said residents should prepare for a high-wind event, with gusts reaching up to 70 mph, with an increased chance for wildfires.

“The forecast is showing that we could have steady 20-25 mph winds, with gusts up to 70 mph,” Barta said in an interview with Irvine Weekly. “Should a spark ignite, and fire be put on the ground, with continuous winds, it definitely makes it difficult for us to do our goal, which is to keep those fires as small as possible.”

In terms of response, as of Monday, Jan. 18, Barta said OCFA hand crews are currently on 24-hour stand-by with the assistance of a bulldozer, with extra dispatchers in the communication center.

Barta added that while there are areas of Irvine that may not face immediate fire danger, high winds should be a concern for all residents considering the potential hazards that can occur with an event of this caliber.

“We’re expecting this wind event, obviously humidity is low. But in addition to fire danger, with wind — there are other dangers that happen — trees that can get blown over, power lines can get knocked down,” Barta said. “So, obviously those communities that have been and are potentially affected by a fire there’s additional areas in Irvine that will be affected by the wind.” 

Irvine and Orange County residents within the Silverado Canyon, Modjeska should prepare for similar weather conditions that occurred during the Silverado and Bond fires, as high winds were a factor in both blazes.

Prior to Sunday’s Red Flag warning in Orange County, Irvine and other cities in the county experienced record-breaking high temperatures for January. On Friday, Jan. 15, Irvine reached 91 degrees, the city’s highest January temperature on record since 1979.

While temperatures have decreased, Barta added that the heat will cause vegetation to dry out, which creates more fuel for fires to burn.

“We’re setting record temperatures — that was a record temperature for January — so that is abnormal, but not out of the realm of possibility,” he said. 

Barta said there is a misconception that wildfires only occur seasonally, adding that it is an ongoing battle in Southern California, regardless of the temperature.

“Typically, people think that fire season is a September, October, November event — but it’s truly transpired now to be a year-round event here in Southern California,” he said.

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