orywireNews that matters in AmericaReporting on public life, technology, money, and policy in the United States.
orywireThe National Weather Service has posted Red Flag Warnings for parts of Northern California from Wednesday into Thursday, including Bay Area hills, Lake County and the Sacramento Valley. The warnings cite gusty winds, low humidity and conditions that could help fires spread quickly.
Red Flag Warnings are posted for parts of Northern California on Wednesday and Thursday, including the East Bay Hills, the North Bay Interior Mountains, parts of Lake County and portions of the Sacramento Valley. Residents in or near the warned areas should avoid outdoor burning and spark-producing work, and should keep phones charged and evacuation plans ready.
The National Weather Service San Francisco warning covers the East Bay Hills and the North Bay Interior Mountains. It is set to run from 11 p.m. Wednesday, June 10, to 9 a.m. Thursday, June 11.
The National Weather Service Eureka warning covers eastern Lake County, including Clearlake and Middletown, and southern Lake County, including Cobb and Konocti. That warning has the same timing: 11 p.m. Wednesday to 9 a.m. Thursday.
The National Weather Service Sacramento warning covers a broader stretch of the Sacramento Valley and nearby hills, including parts of Shasta, Tehama, Glenn, Butte, Colusa, Sutter, Yuba, Yolo, Solano and the western Glenn/Colusa foothills. It is scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday through 5 p.m. Thursday.
Specific boundaries follow NWS fire-weather zones, so people close to a warning edge should check address-specific alerts before assuming they are outside the risk area.
In the Sacramento Valley, the warning centers on north winds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts of 30 to 40 mph, with the strongest winds along the far western side of the valley. The NWS said afternoon humidity could fall to 9% to 15%, with the highest threat along and west of Interstate 5.
For the Bay Area hills and North Bay mountains, forecasters expect northwest winds of 10 to 20 mph, gusts up to 45 mph and ridge-top gusts that may exceed 60 mph. Relative humidity is forecast to be 12% to 18%.
In the Lake County warning area, north to northeast winds are forecast to increase Wednesday night, with ridge gusts to 40 mph through Thursday morning. Humidity recovery on the ridges is expected to be limited, especially at higher elevations.
A Red Flag Warning does not mean a wildfire has already started. It means critical fire weather conditions are occurring or are expected soon, and any fire that starts can spread quickly.
The risk is not the same everywhere. In this event, NWS alerts point to a combination of dry air, gusty north or northeast winds, hot weather and dry vegetation. That mix can make a small ignition harder to contain, especially in exposed hills, valleys and grass-heavy areas.
The National Weather Service advises against outdoor burning in the Sacramento Valley warning area. In the Bay Area warning, forecasters urged people not to leave burning debris or campfires unattended, to avoid equipment or machinery that can create sparks, to secure tow chains and not to toss cigarette butts from vehicles.
During the warning period, avoid mowing dry grass, parking on dry vegetation, dragging trailer chains or doing any outdoor work that could throw sparks. Review evacuation routes, keep a go bag accessible and make sure household members know how to receive local emergency alerts.
People who rely on electricity for medical or safety needs should also prepare for possible outages. PG\&E says high winds, low humidity, dry vegetation, Red Flag Warnings and real-time observations are among the factors it considers when planning a Public Safety Power Shutoff.
Warnings can be updated, extended, narrowed or canceled as forecasts change. Check the latest alerts from the National Weather Service offices in San Francisco, Eureka and Sacramento, and monitor county emergency alerts for evacuation warnings or orders.
CAL FIRE advises households to have a wildfire action plan, sign up for local alerts and be ready to leave early if an evacuation becomes necessary. If officials issue an evacuation order, leave immediately and follow local directions.
