Gusty winds and rising temperatures are boosting fire risk in Redding and surrounding areas this week.
The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for Redding and other parts of the Sacramento Valley through Monday evening, May 18. The warning applies to communities from Redding at the valley’s north end, past Merced in the south.
Redding’s fire risk is going up overall this week, spurred by 25-mph wind gusts on Monday, said Bill Rasch at the weather service’s Sacramento branch. Monday’s wind will dry the already-dry air before afternoon temperatures rise to 99 degrees.
Why wind fanned fire concerns on a cool Monday
While people in Redding won’t feel the worst winds in the Sacramento Valley — forecasters expect 50 mph gusts near Sacramento and in the mountains — 25 mph gusts are strong enough to raise fire concerns in Shasta and Tehama counties, Rasch said.
Redding’s air and vegetation are dry after a practically rain-free April and May. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain fell on the city from May 1-17, according to weather service data.
Humidity levels could drop into the teens or lower by Monday evening, Rasch said. With those dry conditions any wind 10 mph or more means heightened fire weather. When wind speeds exceed humidity levels, “that’s what meets our fire weather criteria.”
Fire weather continues this week as Redding temperatures soar
Redding’s daytime temperatures will rise into the 90s every day this week starting Tuesday, forecasters said.
The hottest day is Thursday, with a high of 99 degrees.
50 mph wind gusts could make driving harder on Interstate 5
While northerly wind gusts will blow up to 25 mph in Redding, the strength of Monday’s gusts increases twofold as motorists drive south on Interstate 5.
They’ll reach up to 50 mph near Sacramento and the Sacramento San Joaquin Delta west of Stockton, forecasters said — enough to make driving harder, especially on stretches that pivot west/east.
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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.
Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and news stories. Follow her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic and on Facebook. Join Jessica on Record Searchlight Facebook groups Get Out! Nor Cal , Today in Shasta County and Shaping Redding’s Future. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you.
This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: 99-degree weather, gusty wind boosting fire weather in Redding
Reporting by Jessica Skropanic, Redding Record Searchlight / Redding Record Searchlight
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