California’s wildfire season is kicking off early this year, and the Central Valley is already feeling the effects. Red flag warnings and above‑normal fire activity began popping up across the state in May — including in the foothills and rangelands surrounding Visalia, where dry grass and gusty winds are creating fast‑changing fire conditions.
A red flag warning is issued when warm temperatures, very low humidity and strong winds combine to raise the risk of fire. It doesn’t mean a wildfire is burning, but it signals that conditions in places like Tulare County are dangerous enough that even a small spark could ignite dry vegetation and spread quickly across Valley grasslands and Sierra‑facing slopes.
Fire officials say this year’s danger is arriving earlier than usual as warm, dry weather speeds up the drying of fuels across the Central Valley. Those conditions are expected to expand wildfire risk heading into summer — especially during wind events that can push flames rapidly across the open grass and brush that surround communities from Visalia to Porterville.
The National Weather Service issued its first red flag warning in mid-May for Kern, Tulare, Fresno, and Merced counties.
Meanwhile, Cal Fire, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, maintains a wildfire threat and intelligence integration center, known as WFTIIC, that continuously monitors NWS alerts, current fuel model conditions, and conditions in various regions of the state.
As NWS and Cal Fire prepare for the next red flag warning, there are things people can do to minimize fire risk in their neighborhoods and wherever they travel.
What is a red flag warning?
A red flag warning alerts people that there is an increased risk of fire danger brought on by warm temperatures, low humidities and stronger winds, according to a NWS office in Michigan. A new fire can grow rapidly under a red flag warning, according to the International Association of Fire Chiefs.
People can help prevent fires from starting by removing dead shrubbery around their homes and avoiding using power equipment that creates sparks, NPR reported. Other tips from the IAFC include not driving your vehicle on dry grass as the heat from the underside of your vehicle can start a fire and never throwing cigarettes or matches out of a car.
How to prepare before a red flag warning
Fire officials say preparation should begin well before any warning is issued.
“Preparation starts long before there’s any sort of wind or fire threat,” said David Acuña, a Cal Fire battalion chief and public information officer.
Cal Fire recommends taking these steps now:
More preparation tips are available at https://www.readyforwildfire.org.
“All those things are steps people can take long before … so that if there does happen to be an evacuation, they can move quickly and safely,” Acuña said.
What not to do during a red flag warning
Fire officials urge people to avoid activities that could spark a fire during red flag conditions.
That includes:
“We generally say mow before 10 a.m., but during a red flag warning, we say don’t mow at all,” Acuña said.
Low humidity and strong winds can allow a fire to spread as if it were the hottest part of the day, even in the morning hours.
Small sparks that can start big fires
Some of the most common wildfire starts come from everyday activities, officials said.
To reduce risk:
Even a single spark can quickly grow into a dangerous fire under red flag conditions, Acuña said.
Where to track fires evacuation orders and road closures in California
The Cal Fire website posts information about current fires in the state.
Officials say it’s a reliable one‑stop source for real‑time wildfire information.
“We track all fires over 10 acres in the state of California, so people can see where the fires are and if there’s one near them,” Acuña said.
You can find updates at Cal Fire incidents map and monitor local alerts as conditions change.
California wildfire map
California weather radar
This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Early red flag warnings signal higher wildfire risk in Central Valley
Reporting by Steve Pastis, Visalia Times-Delta / Visalia Times-Delta
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
