The following is a statement released by the National Weather Service in Eureka:
The National Weather Service in Eureka has issued a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect from 11 PM this evening to 11 AM PDT
Sunday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect.THUNDERSTORMS…Fast moving thunderstorms will pose a threat
for fire starts due to lightning.WINDS…Erratic, gusty outflow winds will be possible in and around thunderstorms. Otherwise, winds are forecast to be light
and variable, tending westerly 5 to 10 mph Sunday afternoon.IMPACTS…Higher potential for wildfire starts in proximity to thunderstorms due to lightning. Any fires that develop may
spread rapidly due to the combination of dry fuels and low humidity. Outdoor burning is not recommended.PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly.
The National Weather service described the atmospheric conditions that have led to this Red Flag Warning:
A moist unstable airmass is forecast to spread north across
northern California late tonight and Sunday. That environment
will support thunderstorm developing near or just south of
Mendocino and Lake Counties late tonight, and quickly tracking
north across our area Sunday morning. Additional storms are
expected to fire over portions of Trinity County through the day
Sunday, perhaps clipping portions of interior Humboldt and
southeast Del Norte County as well. Thunderstorms are already
ongoing Saturday morning in parts of southern and central
California. While briefly heavy rainfall and erratic, gusty winds
may accompany these storms, they will be rather fast moving from
south to north. This, along with ongoing low humidity values and
very dry fuels will favor fire starts due to lightning.
