Full Red Alert is here

Red will be the dominant color for this weekend’s many red, white and blue Fourth of July celebrations, holiday picnics and weekend outdoor adventures. That is because we are now under a summer-long Red Flag fire safety alert issued by CalFire and others. Hot weather, busy humans and dumb moments are dangerous ingredients for tragedy and loss.
The color red signals the highest of all alerts. All the previous warnings about drought-caused tinder dry conditions, over-stretched fire protection resources and limited water supplies are now here. This Red Flag alert must be part of everyone’s summer holiday preparations.
We shouldn’t need any other reminders following house fires in Healdsburg and Windsor last week. These tragedies were caused by human error. There was an unattended charcoal barbecue grill set on a wooden deck and there were discarded oily rags, torched by the hot summer sun.
Elsewhere in rural Sonoma County, field equipment sparked a grass fire that was quickly contained to less than an acre. Toss in Fourth of July sparklers and roman candles and we could yet suffer more home fires and scary scenes.
All of Sonoma County — both the sun-burned hillsides and the crowded rooftops and backyards — are parched and dangerous. We are guaranteed there will be accidents caused by fireworks, a lawnmower spark or a car’s hot engine. We just don’t know how serious — or widespread — the accident and damage will be. Our local fire safety crews expect a very busy weekend.
The wildfire season started early this year, due to California’s multi-year drought. Already fire lines and crews are being tested. With no rain in sight, this fire season already promises to be a long one.
There is nothing we can do to make the season shorter, but there is plenty we can do to make it safer.
Let’s start with the Fourth of July. Leave the fireworks displays to the professionals. Attend the local community shows and support the sponsoring nonprofits. Even the most innocent little sparklers can easily start a fire. Fireworks are illegal in all parts of unincorporated Sonoma County. We’d like to see them banned in Cloverdale and Sebastopol, too. Now would be a good time to officially phase them out for good.
This weekend, big fireworks shows will be held Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4 in Cloverdale, Healdsburg, Windsor, Sebastopol, Monte Rio, Guerneville, Bodega Bay and Santa Rosa. Check the newspaper listings for times and locations.
Summer weekends are when lots of us head to the river, Lake Sonoma, redwood camping or coast day tripping. Don’t make campfires unless they are permitted and then only in designated fire rings. Watch for others nearby who might be less careful.
Homeowners and rural property owners should double-check their fire safety checklists. Clear dry and dead vegetation to make a “defensible perimeter” around buildings and next to roadways. Clean leaf-clogged rain gutters and trim overhanging trees. Update your contact information for the nearest fire protection agency and revisit your family emergency and evacuation plans.
The owner of the home that was destroyed last week in Windsor by a barbecue grill had recently left for work before a neighbor spotted dark smoke and called Windsor Fire. Those few minutes were not enough to save the house and it was a total loss.
Wildfires can spread across a ridgetop of drought-stricken fields or thirsty trees faster than a CalFire air bomber can respond.
One less spark, one less tossed cigarette butt, one completely doused barbecue grill or campfire can mean the difference this summer between tragedy and holiday relaxation and fun.
When you pick up this newspaper next week, we hope readers will see colorful photos of patriotic fireworks and happy families at duck races, concerts and outdoor games. The news we don’t want to report is what might happen from just one careless moment.
— Rollie Atkinson