Los Angeles County Fire Department officials confirmed Wednesday a red flag fire warning is still in effect throughout Los Angeles County.

The red flag warning is based on a variety of criteria ranging from temperature to humidity and wind, with the main factors being a humidity level of less than 15 percent and winds greater than 25 mph, Fire Department officials said.

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Fire Department officials have augmented their staffing in preparation, meaning if there’s normally three people on an engine, they’ve added a fourth person, officials said.

“We’ve been active for the last year,” said Scott Miller, a fire inspector for the Fire Department. “Fire season never ended, so we’ve been in a full state of readiness this entire year.”

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Miller offered the following safety tips to Los Angeles County residents to reduce the risk of fires:

• When working outside or in the yard, make sure to have spark arrestors on all equipment
• Don’t do any kind of outdoor burns
• Before camping, check with the Forest Service to make sure fires are permitted
• Act responsibly, especially during this weather

Residents can visit the Fire Department’s web site for more safety tips, and to get more information about the “Ready! Set! Go!” program.

“It allows them to look and see what brush clearance is required to minimize the risk of having their houses catch on fire, and also gives them tips on how to prepare themselves and their families for escape routes and how to gather their personal equipment or valuables,” Miller said. “That way when we do have an evacuation, they’re set and ready to go at a moment’s notice.”

To visit the Fire Department’s website, click here.

Do you have a news tip? Call us at (661) 298-1220, or drop us a line at community@hometownstation.com.

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