The combination of strong offshore winds with very dry conditions and fuels will lead to dangerous fire weather conditions across parts of California. A number of wildfires are currently burning across the state, including the Kincade fire,the largest in the state. Critical to extreme threats are likely to persist in north-central and southern California through later this week.
The massive Kincade Fire located in northern California’s wine country has prompted evacuations of nearly 200,000 people as the wildfire marches southwest toward the county’s population hub of Santa Rosa. This is the largest evacuation on record in the region. Fire officials are urging people not to return home yet today; conditions are just too dangerous with dry conditions, high winds, and remaining fires.
To prevent additional fires, utility PG&E cut power to more than 900,000 customers, or roughly 3.5 million people in their region that serves portions of northern and central California. The utility warns people that power may not be returned for days or weeks due to the need to visually inspect lines before re-energizing them.
A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.
