{"id":205899,"date":"2026-10-14T15:58:54","date_gmt":"2026-10-14T22:58:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/?p=205899"},"modified":"2026-10-14T15:58:54","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T22:58:54","slug":"governor-newsom-directs-early-proactive-steps-to-protect-california-communities-ahead-of-dangerous-santa-ana-winds-and-red-flag-warnings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/?p=205899","title":{"rendered":"Governor Newsom Directs Early, Proactive Steps to Protect California Communities Ahead of Dangerous Santa Ana Winds and Red Flag Warnings"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Long Beach, CA…With dangerous Santa Ana winds approaching, California is moving firefighting resources closer to at-risk communities and strengthening the crews already protecting them.<\/p>\n

Governor Gavin Newsom today has directed CAL FIRE and Cal OES to preposition additional resources and place the State Operations Center into an enhanced readiness posture<\/a>. These preparations will support local firefighters and strengthen state coordination as conditions change.<\/p>\n

Strong winds, low humidity, and dry vegetation are expected to raise wildfire danger and prompt Red Flag Alerts<\/a> across portions of Southern California over the coming days. In those conditions, a new fire can spread quickly. Early deployments will give firefighters additional support when a fire starts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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California is taking proactive steps to protect communities ahead of Santa Ana winds and critical fire weather. By positioning firefighters, engines, aircraft and specialized equipment in areas facing the greatest risk, we are helping local fire departments respond quickly when every second counts. We will continue working with our partners statewide to ensure they have the personnel, equipment and resources necessary to keep Californians safe throughout this wind event.<\/p>\n

Governor Gavin Newsom<\/small><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Strengthening crews before winds arrive<\/h2>\n

CAL FIRE is increasing staffing and positioning engine strike teams across Southern California to reinforce crews and engines in the affected region.<\/p>\n

Alongside those preparations, Cal OES is positioning additional firefighters, aircraft, and equipment in Orange, Ventura, Los Angeles, and Santa Barbara counties, as well as in communities across the state. The deployments will give local fire departments more resources to draw on as fire danger rises.<\/p>\n

Cal OES resources will begin deploying Thursday morning, October 15, and remain deployed through Sunday, October 18. Local fire officials will determine staging locations and assignments based on expected conditions and operational needs. These preparations supplement California\u2019s statewide Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid System and build on the state\u2019s investments in firefighting personnel, equipment, technology, and training. The state will continue to track conditions and coordinate with local and federal partners. Additional personnel and equipment remain available as needs change.<\/p>\n

For the latest county-by-county details on prepositioned resources, visit the Cal OES pre-position page<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Taking steps to prevent new fires<\/h2>\n

Alongside the state\u2019s firefighting preparations, California State Parks and partner agencies announced today a new coordinated protocol for closing parklands<\/a> during Red Flag warnings in the Santa Monica Mountains.<\/p>\n

The protocol will be used for the first time on Thursday, October 15, to help prevent wildfire ignitions, protect visitors and neighboring communities, and reduce the number of people who may need to evacuate if a fire starts.<\/p>\n

State Parks, the National Park Service, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority will coordinate closures to reduce accidental ignitions and protect visitors and nearby communities. The closures also help reduce the number of people who could need evacuation if a fire starts.<\/p>\n

Visitors should check their destination\u2019s status before leaving home and respect all posted closures. Access will vary by location and conditions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Santa Monica Mountains at Malibu Creek State Park<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The new protocol provides a more consistent approach to closures across the network of public lands managed by four agencies. Closure decisions will be based on National Weather Service forecasts and the location and severity of dangerous fire weather. Agencies will assess conditions daily and announce closures the day before whenever possible.<\/p>\n

Preparing for potential Public Safety Power Shutoffs<\/h2>\n

As strong winds and critical fire weather conditions impact portions of California, utility providers may initiate Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) in portions of coastal and inland Southern California, the Sierra Nevada, and Northern California to reduce the risk of wildfires caused by electrical infrastructure.<\/p>\n

These temporary power shutoffs are determined by utility providers based on weather conditions and public safety considerations. Residents are encouraged to\u00a0contact their utility provider<\/a> for the latest information on the anticipated timing, location, and duration of any potential power shutoffs. Individuals who rely on electricity-powered medical equipment at home may qualify for their utility provider\u2019s\u00a0Medical Baseline Program<\/a>, which can provide advance notifications before a PSPS and help offset additional electricity costs associated with medical equipment.<\/p>\n

California\u2019s investments in wildfire readiness<\/h2>\n

Since 2019, California has significantly expanded its firefighting capacity through investments in personnel, equipment, technology, and training to better protect communities from increasingly severe wildfires and extreme weather events.<\/p>\n

Under the Newsom administration, California\u2019s fire protection budget has nearly doubled, from $2 billion to $3.8 billion, with more than $2.5 billion invested in wildfire resilience and forest health projects.<\/p>\n

California\u2019s prepositioning program is a critical component of these efforts, enabling state and local fire agencies to rapidly deploy additional resources during periods of heightened wildfire risk.<\/p>\n

Californians urged to prepare for dangerous winds and wildfire conditions<\/h2>\n

With strong winds and elevated wildfire risk expected across Southern California, residents are encouraged to take precautions now to protect themselves, their families, and their communities.<\/p>\n