In this era of TV, radio and the internet, raising an actual flag on a pole seems almost symbolic, but we know the reasoning. "We have winds, lower humidity, temperatures on the increase," said Paul Lowenthal, Assistant Fire Marshall in Santa Rosa.
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Hence the fire service on active patrols...and locals with more than their share of fire experience feeling just a bit edgy.
" I could get out of here in 15 minutes," said Sharon English of Santa Rosa.
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She lives one mile downwind from Coffee Park and knows the evacuation drill all-too-well. This morning, Sharon posted on social media that people need to take red flag warnings seriously. "Of course. People are not thinking."
As for Sharon -- she's packed and ready to go. Papers, bills, documents, photos, all in boxes. She can load them all, plus her pets, into a car within. Experience is a good teacher.
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"Were you prepared last year?" we asked.
"No. But I am now," Sharon said.
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