What You Need to know about Red Flag Warnings

A Red Flag Warning means that there is an increased risk for fire danger due to warm temperatures, very low humidity and stronger winds. Avoid outdoor activities that could strike a fire during a Red Flag Warning.

1. Never mow or trim dry grass during a red flag warning because a power tool could spark on a rock and start a grass fire. It is not recommended even on windy, dry, hot days.
2. Thoroughly extinguish all cigarettes and smoking material.
3. Don’t pull your vehicle over in grass as it can spark a grass fire. If necessary, pull over on paved roads.
4. Use spark arrestors on portable gasoline powered equipment to avoid an accidental fire.
5. Properly maintain vehicles to prevent starting fires along roads due to sparks or flammable materials being spit out from the catalytic converter system.
6. Ensure trailer chains don’t drag on the ground and spark.

What to do to prepare your family and your property for fire season:

• There are steps that homeowners can take in the immediate area around their home to reduce the risk and spread of wildfire. Proper vegetation management around the home, most commonly referred to as defensible space, is the space between a structure and the wildland area that creates a buffer to slow or halt the spread of fire to a structure. It protects the home from igniting due to direct flame or radiant heat. Defensible space is essential to help protect a structure during a wildland fire. Create defensible space by removing weeds, brush, and other vegetation from around your property. Harden your home by inspecting roofs, eaves, vents, walls and fencing, windows and doors, and balconies and decks for areas that fire embers could potentially enter your home and catch fire.
• Home hardening is another technique residents should use to help protect their home and reduce the spread of fire. If embers from a wildland fire can find a weak spot in your home’s fire protection scheme, your home may easily catch fire because of small, overlooked, or seemingly inconsequential factors.
• Keep your cell phone turned on at all times to receive emergency alerts
• Sign up to receive emergency notifications at SoCoAlert.com. SoCoAlert will be used to send an emergency notification if there is an imminent threat to life or property. 
• Have an evacuation and family emergency plan ready.
• The following resources offer additional guidance:
  • ReadyForWildfire.org
  • FireSafe Sonoma, READY, SET, GO! Your personal Wildland Fire Action Guide 

Rain Ready Information for Wet Weather Season

National Weather Service Warning System:

• The National Weather Service issues weather advisories and watches when the weather forecast indicates there is a potential for hazardous conditions. Watches and advisories are shared online at https://www.weather.gov/alerts, and on the National Weather Service social media Facebook and Twitter feeds.

Sign up for Sonoma County Emergency Alerts:

• Sign up to receive emergency notifications at SoCoAlert.com. SoCoAlert will be used to send an emergency notification if there is an imminent threat to life or property.

Weather Emergency Radios

• In areas where there is limited cell service, or if a power outage occurs, Emergency Warnings from the National Weather Service will be announced on the Weather Emergency Radios, which rely on batteries.

Emergency public hotlines - Flood, sanitation, streams maintenance

Flood Forecast Hotline: (707) 526-4768

The Flood Forecast is a recording that provides updates on local river conditions. The recordings are updated by the Sonoma County Water Agency as conditions change.

Stream Maintenance: (707) 521-1845

Report any stream related issues, such as debris or stream channel changes, to prevent localized flooding.

Sand and Sandbags Available for City Residents to Control Rain-Run-off on Properties

Each year, the City's Sandbag Station is available to residents throughout the rainy season. If you need to control rain run-off on your property, sand and bags are available for City residents at the City Municipal Services Center at 55 Stony Point Road. The yard is open 24-hours a day, 7-days a week. Materials are available throughout the entire rain season, not only during storm events. Simply by showing your ID to verify your City of Santa Rosa address, City residents can drive into the Municipal Services Center Yard and access the sandbag filling station. There is no charge for City residents to utilize the Sandbag Station.  Shovels will be on hand for residents to fill bags with sand. Residents should plan to transport the sandbags in a vehicle they don't mind getting dirty and should note that the sand has been stored outdoors so the sandbags may be heavy and muddy to transport.
Questions? Contact 707-543-3800 M-F 8am-5pm, or 707-543-3805 on weekends and after-hours.

Important Rain-Ready Information for Property Owners Whose Properties are Located Within or Around the Wildfire Burn Scar Area

A multi-agency analysis of the 2017 wildfire damage found that properties located within fire burn areas may still be at risk for flash floods, mudflows and debris flows. To familiarize yourself with the potential hazards associated with the burned areas please view the Post-Fire Hazard Assessment Map. Residents who live in areas identified as at medium and high-risk of flash flooding, debris and mud flows  were mailed information that can be seen here. 

What Property Owners Can Do To Be Prepared

The National Weather Service expects debris flows to become more likely during periods of intense rainfall. Be prepared by:

• Identifying vulnerable areas on your property.
• Using erosion control techniques, such as installing wattles and rock bags, and clearing fire-related debris from creeks and drainages to reduce flooding.
• Have an evacuation and emergency plan ready.
• Keep your cell phone turned on at all times to receive emergency alerts.

Stay Informed

• Sonoma Water has installed rainfall and stream gauges in watersheds in burned areas and is working to install radar equipment to improve early warning forecasts for residents in high-risk areas. Use this link for real-time data: www.sonoma.onerain.com

National Weather Service Warning System:

• The National Weather Service issues weather advisories and watches when the weather forecast indicates there is a potential for hazardous conditions. Watches and advisories are shared online at https://www.weather.gov/alerts, and on the National Weather Service social media Facebook and Twitter feeds.
• Warning: The National Weather Service will issue a Warning if hazardous conditions are imminent or occurring within the burn areas.
• The National Weather Service sends Warnings over the Wireless Emergency Alerts system that will send a message to all cell phones in the burn areas and will also send out alerts through the Emergency Alert System that broadcasts on radios and televisions.

Visit sonomacountyrecovers.org/rain-ready, for additional property owner resources and information on preparing for rainy weather in fire-impacted areas.