Most of the Bay Area has been under a red flag warning since Tuesday for expected dry conditions and strong winds, according to the National Weather Service.
Critically dry fuels, low humidity and gusty winds prompted the red flag warning through 7 a.m. Thursday, the weather service said.
The combination of those gusty winds and dry conditions can cause fire to spread quickly, weather officials said. Outdoor burning is not recommended.
Preliminary peak wind gusts include 88 mph at Mt St Helena, 60 mph + gusts along the Diablo Range and Santa Cruz Mtns. #CAwx 11/6/2024 @nbcbayarea pic.twitter.com/20N6zMIVrA
— Rob Mayeda (@RobMayeda) November 6, 2024
Despite recent rain, prolonged offshore northerly winds at 20 to 30 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph, will dry fuels out very quickly, the weather service said.
Relative humidity is expected to drop as low as 15%, forecasters said.
The fire weather conditions also could lead to possible power shutoffs in parts of the Bay Area, according to PG&E. The utility has notified 15,000 customers in 17 counties that their power may be proactively shut off.
Local
Winds-day in the Bay! Red Flag Warning 🚩 ⚠️ until 7am tomorrow @nbcbayarea some of the prelim gusts we’ve been updating this morning. WOAH Mt. St. Helena! #CAwx pic.twitter.com/C7rpwtPtte
— Cinthia Pimentel (@cinpimentelnews) November 6, 2024
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