National Weather Service Issues Red Flag Warning for East Contra Costa

At roughly 7:09 pm Thursday evening, the National Weather Services issued a Red Flag Warning and a wind advisory was issued for Contra Costa County.  A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now,or will shortly. It also involved the combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.

Here is the alert below:

…STRONG AND GUSTY OFFSHORE WINDS IN THE NORTH AND EAST BAY HILLS

FROM THURSDAY EVENING THROUGH EARLY FRIDAY AFTERNOON…

.NORTHERLY WINDS WERE INCREASING IN THE HILLS OF THE NORTH AND  EAST BAY EARLY THURSDAY EVENING. AT 7 PM PDT…LOCAL WIND GUSTS OF AROUND 40 MPH WERE OBSERVED ABOVE 1000 FEET IN NORTHERN SONOMA COUNTY AND EASTERN CONTRA COSTA COUNTY. NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS ARE FORECAST TO CONTINUE TO INCREASE OVERNIGHT AND PEAK LATE TONIGHT AND EARLY FRIDAY MORNING WHEN LOCAL GUSTS TO 50 MPH ARE LIKELY. WINDS WILL THEN GRADUALLY SUBSIDE FROM MID MORNING ON FRIDAY THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON.

…WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 PM PDT FRIDAY…

A WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE NORTH AND EAST BAY HILLS UNTIL 3 PM PDT FRIDAY.

* TIMING: WINDS INCREASING THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING AND PEAKING IN INTENSITY LATE THURSDAY NIGHT AND EARLY FRIDAY MORNING. WINDS THEN GRADUALLY DECREASING LATE FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON.

* LOCATION: ELEVATIONS ABOVE 1000 FEET IN THE NORTH AND EAST BAY HILLS OF THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA.

* WINDS: NORTH TO NORTHEAST WINDS OF 20 TO 35 MPH WITH LOCAL GUSTS TO 50 MPH CAN BE EXPECTED.

* IMPACTS: DOWNED POWER LINES AND TREES. DIFFICULT DRIVING  CONDITIONS ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES.

A WIND ADVISORY MEANS THAT WIND GUSTS OF 45 MPH OR GREATER CAN BE EXPECTED. WINDS THIS STRONG CAN MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT…ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES. USE EXTRA CAUTION.

Source:
http://alerts.weather.gov/cap/wwacapget.php?x=CA124F1D57F8A4.WindAdvisory.124F1D5B0260CA.MTRNPWMTR.262700067136f30afc99aeb335d44c98
CALFIRE Statement

The National Weather Service issues Red Flag Warnings & Fire Weather Watches to alert fire departments of the onset, or possible onset, of critical weather and dry conditions that could lead to rapid or dramatic increases in wildfire activity.

A Red Flag Warning is issued for weather events which may result in extreme fire behavior that will occur within 24 hours. A Fire Weather Watch is issued when weather conditions could exist in the next 12-72 hours. A Red Flag Warning is the highest alert. During these times extreme caution is urged by all residents, because a simple spark can cause a major wildfire. A Fire Weather Watch is one level below a warning, but fire danger is still high.

The type of weather patterns that can cause a watch or warning include low relative humidity, strong winds, dry fuels, the possibility of dry lightning strikes, or any combination of the above. During heightened fire danger, CAL FIRE will place additional firefighters on duty, staff more fire engines and keep more equipment on 24 hours a day to be able to respond to any new fires. CAL FIRE urges Californians to be extremely cautious, especially during periods of high fire danger. It’s important all residents and vistors take steps to prevent wildfires. One less spark could mean one less wildfire. See below for tips on preventing wildfires.

1. Equipment Use Safety

• Never mow or trim dry grass on a Red Flag Warning Day. (Mow before 10 a.m. on a day when its not hot and windy).
• Never use lawn mowers in dry vegetation.
• Spark arresters are required in wildland areas on all portable gasoline powered equipment.

2. Campfire Safety

• Before starting a campfire, make sure you have a campfire permit and that they are permitted on the land you are visiting.
• Afterwards, ensure that your campfire is properly extinguished.

3. Defensible Space

• Residents should make sure they have 100 feet of defensible space around structures.
• Clear dead weeds and vegetation.
• Remove leaves and needles from gutters.
• Trim branches 6 feet from the ground.

4. Vehicle

• Never pull over in dry grass.
• Ensure trailer chains don’t drag on the ground.
• Make sure your vehicle is properly maintained.
• Have proper tire pressure to avoid driving on wheel rim.
• Never let your brake pads wear too thin.

5. Other

• Make sure cigarette butts are properly extinguished.
• Never burn landscape debris like leaves or branches on NO Burn Days or when it’s windy or areas where not allowed.
• Target shoot only in approved areas, use lead ammunition only, and never at metal targets.
• Report any suspicious activities to prevent arson.