Fall weather offers ideal wildfire conditions, says Academy fire inspector Published Sept. 24, 2015 By Ray Bowden U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Nationally, more than five million acres have burned this year, according to a report from the Agriculture Department. The Valley Fire in Lake County, California, has been the most destructive of the U.S. fires so far and President Barack Obama declared the area a major disaster Sept. 23, after California Governor Jerry Brown requested the declaration earlier this week. There are several conditions that improve the chances for a blaze, including high winds in a state well-known for unpredictable weather, said Mike Mater, an Academy fire inspector. "We can have several weeks of rain and then in a surprisingly short amount of time, high winds and the fire danger goes right back into Red Flag conditions," he said. "Wildfires spread rapidly and during drought conditions, when humidity is very low and when high winds and lightning are present." A Red Flag Warning is a U.S. National Weather Service warning to inform firefighting and land management agencies that conditions are ideal for wildfires. Fire safety tips: · Clear leaves and other debris from gutters, eaves, porches and decks to prevents embers from igniting your home. · Remove dead vegetation and other items from under your deck or porch and within 10 feet of the house. · Screen or box-in areas below patios and decks with wire mesh to prevent debris and combustible materials from accumulating. · Remove flammable materials (firewood stacks, propane tanks) within 30 feet of your home's foundation and outbuildings, including garages and sheds. If it can catch fire, don't let it touch your house, deck or porch. ·Keep your lawn hydrated and maintained. If it is brown, cut it down to reduce fire intensity. Dry grass and shrubs are fuel for wildfire. Visit www.nfpa.org/safety-information for more information and safety tips.