Santa Ana Winds Stir an Air of Caution : Besides Sparking Allergies, Clear Dry Weather Serves as a Reminder of Fire Hazards

The recent sight of planes taking off to the north at John Wayne Airport instead of in the customary southbound direction was a sure sign of the periodic return of the Santa Ana winds to our area.

The planes switch direction because they must take off into the wind to increase the lift effect caused by airflow. While these sights also are accompanied by some clear dry weather and wonderful mountain vistas, they also are a reminder of fire hazard.

On March 30, sparks from a tree fire in Orange caused an estimated $16,500 in damage to the roofs of three apartments in Orange. More than 30 firefighters from Orange and Anaheim extinguished the fire without injury and residents were allowed to return to their apartments later in the day.

At the same time, high winds dropped a tree branch into a Tustin substation of Southern California Edison knocking out power to about 11,000 homes for 38 minutes that day. And the hot, dry winds brought in irritants that allergists say stir up people’s various allergies and aggravate eye, skin and respiratory conditions.

But the Santa Ana winds also prompted firefighters to increase patrols around the county, and they were a reminder of potential danger ahead after a season of heavy rains. The green hillsides are a feast for the eyes now, but what is pleasing today can be fuel for fire when things dry out.

Emmy Day, a spokeswoman with the Orange County Fire Authority, warns that prolonged Santa Ana conditions ahead could accelerate drying out of lush hillside brush and usher in an early fire season. “The potential is there for an incredibly dangerous fire season because of these winds,” she said.

If firefighters are on guard, ordinary folks should heed the message and be watchful as well. We all can take extra care to avoid carelessness that could result in fire.