TOPANGA CANYON, Calif. – For some...the outlooks throughout Topanga Canyon are a great place to take in the scenery..

But with a red flag warning in place, Dan Schag is here for an entirely different reason.

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“I’m just looking for smoke, said Schag, “and for anybody outside. If I see any crews out there working, I want to make note of that.” 

Schag is one of the many people that make up the group known as Arson Watch. 

The volunteer organization has been patrolling these canyons for over 30 years, on the look out for anything or anyone who might start a fire..purposefully or accidentally.

A practicing psychologist, Schag has been volunteering with Arson Watch for five years. Being a local, he knows the canyon pretty well, including some “hidden” places where people tend to be.

As he pulls up on a man, he rolls down his window and warns him not to use any fire outdoors.

“One hundred percent,” the man replies. 

As Schag patrols he checks-in regularly with control, today manned by Arson Watch 25-year veteran, Will Carrey, who started after the 1993 Topanga Canyon fire.

He’s got the full set up with radio and scanners while monitoring fire cameras throughout the canyon.

“Wildfires are getting more prevalent and they are getting to be bigger and more dangerous and more difficult to fight," said Carrey. "So anything we can do to catch them early or prevent them is what we need to do to protect our homes and where we live.”

With many calls coming in, it’s a good indication that the wind was beginning to pick up.

Something confirmed in the field by Schag, who has concern for one area in particular with a high density of homes.  

He says that he’s happy to be doing this work and considers patrolling and watching for fires in the community he cares about a great “service to the community.”