LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – With forecasted high winds and dry, hot conditions raising concerns for fire danger, the National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for much of Northern California, including Lake County, which in turn has caused Cal Fire to increase its staffing.
The red flag warning will be in effect from 9 p.m. Saturday through 8 a.m. Monday for areas above 2,000 feet in elevation.
The National Weather Service said a red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now or will shortly.
The forecast predicts dry east to northeast winds of between 15 and 25 miles per hour will develop over Lake County during Saturday night, and then the remainder of northwest California during Sunday.
The combination of gusty ridgetop winds of up to 40 miles per hour, low humidity and dry fuels will result in critical fire weather conditions through Monday morning, the National Weather Service reported.
The Lake County forecast calls for daytime highs in the 90s through Monday, with nighttime temperatures in the 60s.
The heightened fire weather conditions have firefighters across the region preparing, from those working on the massive August Complex in the Mendocino Shasta-Trinity and Six Rivers National Forests in the north to those on the lookout for the potential for new fires closer to home.
In response to the issuance of the red flag warning, Cal Fire’s Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit reported that it has increased its staffing on all available engines not already on the 25 major fires across the state.
The unit also reminded residents to prepare their families, have an emergency supply kit ready and have evacuation plans in place in case the event a fire starts near you.
Cal Fire offers more information on fire season preparations on its website.
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National Weather Service issues red flag warning; Cal Fire staffs up
- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On