NWS Fire Weather Watch Remains in Effect; Refrain from Outdoor Burning

The National Weather Service (NWS), Guam Weather Forecast Office fire weather watch remains in effect for Guam through Monday Evening. A fire weather watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Stronger winds and continued dry weather expected the next several days will increase the risk of fast-spreading wildfires.

Although the affected areas include mainly southern and central areas of Guam, the community is reminded to practice caution island wide. Daytime winds will be east around 15 mph today, increasing to between 15 and 20 mph Saturday through Monday. Stronger gusts in higher elevations and along ridges are expected. Daytime humidity is expected as low as 40%.

Stronger daytime winds will enable the rapid spread of any fires that develop and will make efforts to contain brushfires more difficult. Multiple fires have already occurred.

"Working alongside our local and federal fire services, the fire at Nimitz Hill was successfully contained without any injuries or damage to any homes in the area", said Guam Fire Department, Fire Chief Dan Stone. "We continue to urge the community to practice fire prevention and preparedness, especially with the dry conditions and high winds we are currently experiencing", he added.

Any fires that develop could spread rapidly, be difficult to control, and may ignite spot fires downwind. Practice caution by following these safety tips:

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

If your area is under a Fire Weather watch or warning

Turn on your TV/radio to 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 emergency supply kit ready and vehicles fueled in case you need to evacuate

Practice fire prevention

Deposit cigarette butts in the proper receptacle to avoid starting a fire with a flying spark or ember
Do not set off fireworks when conditions are dry
Outdoor burning is prohibited.

The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense (GHS/OCD) remind residents and visitors to practice extreme caution during this time. Visit the following links for the latest advisory information:

NWS Website: https://www.weather.gov/gum/
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) 489-2540 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

X
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.