The Bay Area has been issued a red flag warning citing an impending risk of fires. As posted by the NWS Bay Area on X (previously Twitter), areas including the North Bay, Inland East Bay, Santa Clara Hills, Santa Cruz Mountains, and the San Mateo coastline have been identified under this warning.
đŠA Red Flag Warning is now in effect for portions of the Bay Area beginning as early as Saturday morning continuing through Sunday evening. Saturday night through early Sunday will be the most critical time period. Do you have an emergency plan if a fire starts near you? #cawx pic.twitter.com/4aXTRGZLxA
— NWS Bay Area đ (@NWSBayArea) October 27, 2023
As per ABC7 News, this Red Flag Warning is the most significant in two years bringing back the memories of smoke-filled skies from 2021. The tranquility of 2022 without any such warnings has been disrupted with the current elevated risk.
The National Weather Service has announced the creeping Red Flag Warning beginning 5 a.m. Saturday for locations above 1,000 feet within the Marin Coastal Range, North Bay interior mountains, Santa Cruz Mountains, eastern Santa Clara hills, and the East Bay Hills, as reported by CBS San Francisco. It further states that locations under the 1,000-feet mark in, along with coastal North Bay, Point Reyes, Sonoma Coastal Range, North Bay interior valleys, San Mateo County coast, and East Bay interior valleys will be included by Saturday evening.
The wind to develop early, Saturday across North Bay, East Bay, and Santa Cruz Mountains ridges will further elevate the fire risk, and to truly underscore, it is anticipated to gust at 30-40 mph, peaking at 60 mph on higher peaks, as per CBS San Francisco. Moreover, the relative humidity levels are expected to drop to 10-20%, providing a conducive environment for fire.
Under these circumstances, it is advisable to avoid outdoor burning, maintain fire safety precautions, and have an emergency plan in place.
