Changes To Red Flag Warnings

The National Weather Service is changing the criteria it uses to issue red flag warnings.

They started using the system after a series of deadly fires in 2003.

The warning, initially issued after long periods of low humidity, now factor in wind speed.

The change is aimed to keep the public interested.

“Peter and the wolf ya know,” said Idyllwild resident Bob Garron. “Keep telling them this and nothing happens and people say, ‘oh well, they don’t know what they’re doing anyway.’ So this one here, they’re goning to wait till it’s extremely low and then they want us to pay attention to it.”

People in Idyllwild are no stranger to wildfires and fire preparations.

While some may not know the specifics of the warning, they take them seriously.

“Yes. Especially up here in the mountains,” said Agnes Wilkerson, who’s lived in town for SIX years.

“We always take it seriously because of the fire danger,” said Richard Collins, another Idyllwild resident.

There’s other warning signs people in Idyllwild pay attention to.

“When I walk into the store and I see somebody buying charcoal, I’m worried. I am worried. Especially when there is high winds, I am worried. A hot dog isn’t worth my house,” said Reginald Pullen, who has already cleared dry brush from outside his home.

San Diego County made the switch on Thursday.

With Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties to change later this year.

It could come just in time.

The Coachella Valley has seen a wetter than usual winter.

And it’s only a matter of time before the Santa Ana winds blow through and dry out the desert and make the whole valley a fire danger.