The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning Monday for the East Bay hills until 11 p.m. tonight because of gusty winds and an extreme risk of wildfires.
The warning extends across all of the East Bay hills, with the NWS forecasting gusts between 20-50 mph and low humidity between 9-12%, combining for “critical fire weather conditions.”
Also under a red flag warning are local regional parks Miller/Knox and Briones, with Wildcat Canyon closed through Tuesday, according to the East Bay Regional Park District. (Check the district’s closures page for the latest information.)
With the upcoming Fourth of July holiday, the weather agency is urging residents to refrain from using fireworks, and other other outdoor burning that could spark a wildfire.
“The fuels are extremely ready to burn,” said Nicole Sarment, meteorologist at the NWS. “It may not be as windy, but its doesn’t matter when grasses are extremely dry.”
As of the time this story was posted, several small fires were reported around the Bay Area, including a 7-acre blaze in Concord, a 40-acre fire in Calistoga and a small fire on Grizzly Peak Boulevard that was stopped at 2 acres.
Sarment said residents should heed the warning even if they’re not in an area that falls under the warning, because fuels are dry in the entire region. Some parts of the Bay Area further away from the San Francisco Bay are also under excessive heat warnings this week, with temperatures forecast to rise as high as 110.
In Richmond, temperatures are expected to top out in the mid-80s, and people are advised to take precautions such as drinking fluids, staying in the shade and limiting strenuous activities to the early morning or evening.
Separately, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District also issued a “Spare the Air” alert for today, asking that residents limit driving because of smoggy conditions.
According to the air district, higher temperatures during the summer can cause ozone to build up to unhealthy levels. The alert aims to mitigate these air quality impacts.
Air quality in Richmond is expected to be moderate on Tuesday with an AQI of 97, according to AirNow.
On all Red Flag days, you should follow this advice:
- Keep your phone on, charged and in your pocket throughout the day.
- Fill up your tank with gas and pack your trunk with your go bag and extra water. Keep in mind that garage doors operating on electricity may not open, but avoid parking on the street.
- Avoid activities that could cause a spark.
- Be prepared to rapidly evacuate if needed.
A version of this story was first published on Berkeleyside.
