Red flag warning system in place for fire season

FONTANA, Calif. (KABC) -- Authorities are warning residents in the Inland Empire to take preventative measures and to pay attention to a new red flag warning system as they gear up for fire season.

"The months of September, October and November, as we used to see large amounts of rain, now we're dry, and you add the wind to that and you get an explosive situation in San Bernardino County," San Bernardino County Fire Chief Mark Hartwig said.

A new website that went up nearly two weeks ago could help notify residents of possible threats.

SantaAnaWildfireThreat.com provides readings of fire potential. Until recently, all readings have been grey, which indicates no elevated threat.

Starting Thursday, however, from the Inland Empire all the way up to Ventura County, a yellow rating is expected to be issued, which means fires may grow rapidly upon ignition.

"The fuels continue to be critical," San Bernardino County Fire Chief Jim Johnstone said.

In San Bernardino County, a flying red flag at all county fire stations will serve as a visual warning.

"It's go time for us. Within the next months, we'll start to see high winds," Hartwig said.