Rapid Spread of Wildfires Possible; NWS Advisories in Effect for the Marianas

The National Weather Service (NWS), Weather Forecast Office Guam, has the following advisories in effect:

A small craft advisory is in effect for Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan coastal waters, until 6 p.m. Wednesday. Winds of 15 to 25 knots with occasional gusts to 30 knots will continue through this evening, producing wave conditions that are hazardous to small craft. Seas have increased to between 7 and 10 feet and will persist through Wednesday. Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, should avoid sailing in these conditions.

An airport wind advisory is in effect for the Guam International Airport until 6:30 p.m. this evening. Winds from the east at 15 to 20 knots with gusts near 28 knots are expected. Be alert and take precautions as required.

A red flag warning is in effect for Guam until 7 p.m. this evening, meaning critical fire weather conditions are occurring. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures will create ideal conditions for rapid spread of wildfires.

A fire weather watch will be in effect for Guam from 7 p.m. this evening through Wednesday evening, meaning critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. East winds at 15 to 25 mph with frequent gusts to 30 mph are expected.

Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD) remind all residents and visitors to practice extreme caution at this time and be aware of later forecasts and possible red flag warnings for dangerous fire weather conditions.

Visit the following links for the latest advisory information:

NWS Website: http://www.prh.noaa.gov/guam/
NWS Facebook: https: https://www.facebook.com/NWSGuam
GHS/OCD Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GHSOCD/

For more information, contact GHS/OCD Public Information Officer, Jenna G. Blas at (671) 478-0208 or via email at jenna.g.blas@ghs.guam.gov.

X Flooding is a temporary overflowing of water onto land that is normally dry. Flooding may happen with only a few inches of water, or it may cover a house to the rooftop. There are many possible causes of floods including heavy rain, coastal storms and storm surge, waterway overflow from being blocked with debris, or overflow of levees, dams, or waste water systems. Flooding can occur slowly over many days or happen very quickly with little or no warning, called flash floods.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/floods

Wildfire

Regularly clean the roof and gutters.
Maintain an area approximately 30’ away from you home that is free of anything that will burn, such as wood piles, dried leaves, newspapers and other brush.
Connect garden hoses long enough to reach any area of the home and fill garbage cans, tubs, or other large containers with water.
Review your homeowner's insurance policy and also prepare/update a list of your home's contents.

Fire Weather

Turn on your TV/radio. You’ll get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.
Know where to go. If you are ordered to evacuate, know the route to take and have plan of where you will go. Check-in with your friends and family.
Keep your car fueled, in good condition, and stocked with emergency supplies and a change of clothes.

Drought

Conserve water

Take shorter showers.

Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving.
Run the washer less frequently and only when you have a full load.
Water your lawn less frequently and do so when the temperature is cooler in the early morning or late evening.
When you run the tap to heat or cool water, keep a pitcher to store the water and use it to water plants.
Avoid washing your car.

Practice fire prevention

Don't set off fireworks when conditions are dry.
Deposit cigarette butts in the proper receptacle to avoid starting a
Pour water over camp fires and backyard fire pits to ensure they are completely out before leaving them unattended.

Follow directions from local officials. If there are restrictions on water usage, be sure to heed them.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/wildfires and https://www.ready.gov/drought

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Typhoons/Hurricanes are massive storm systems that form over the water and move toward land. Threats from typhoons/hurricanes include high winds, heavy rainfall, storm surge, coastal and inland flooding, and rip currents.

“Hurricanes” form in the Atlantic Northeast Pacific region and “Typhoons” form in the Northwest Pacific Region. These large storms are call cyclones in other parts of the world.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes.