Orange County is currently experiencing Red Flag conditions, meaning that fire danger is high.  When fire danger is high, like it is today, The Toll Roads take a proactive approach to preventing wildfires through education and encouraged vigilance. 

Keep the following motorist safety tips in mind during Red Flag conditions:

DON’T PULL OVER:  Don’t pull over to the side of the road unless absolutely necessary, especially onto dry grass or brush. Hot exhaust pipes and mufflers can start fires that you won’t see, until it’s too late!

DON’T SMOKE:  Don’t smoke when driving and never throw a lit cigarette or burning match out of a car.

NO SPARKS:  Sparks from dragging equipment on vehicles or faulty catalytic converters, especially on older trucks on uphill grades, ignite fires. Make vehicle safety upgrades as needed.

REPORT:  Keep a cell phone nearby and call 911 immediately in case of a fire. Many wildland fires are caused by arson.  Report suspicious activity to the OC Fire Authority Arson Tip Line at 1-800-540-8282.

On The Toll Roads, during Red Flag conditions, changeable message signs and special toll plaza planter signs carry a warning.  We also provide the above motorist tips for fire safety and prevention via our blog, website, Facebook and Twitter.

We do all of this because we are part OC Fire Watch. Led by Orange County’s Fifth District Supervisor Patricia C. Bates, the Orange County Fire Authority and Orange County Parks, OC Fire Watch is a countywide program to alert the public when fire dangers are elevated.

More information on OC Fire Watch, including how residents can get involved in the program, can be found at www.OCFireWatch.org.