Where There's Smoke, There's a Red Flag in OC

Orange County is getting serious about brush fires.

A new aggressive program launched Thursday, OC Fire Watch, is designed to alert residents of fast-moving brush fires, the Los Angeles Times reported:

As part of the program, government agencies around the county will raise red flags outside government buildings, parks and fire stations when the National Weather Service issues "red flag" fire warnings. Additional, the county will create a volunteer program to help with fire warnings. Officials will train volunteers on communications procedures, map reading and how to report dangerous fire situations, according to the Orange County Fire Authority.

In a statement, Board of Supervisor Chair Patricia Bates said, "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."

Orange County Parks, a partner in the program, will work to coordinate fire-watch volunteers, the Orange County Register reported.

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