Bay Area Nears 100 Degrees, Under Heat Advisory as Wildfire Risk Spreads
Monsoon moisture in the Bay Area has cleared — making way for scorching temperatures this week and increased fire risk in the region. The warming trend is expected to peak Tuesday, with highs up to the 80s and 90s in interior areas, before cooling down midweek.
While a brief threat of thunderstorms passed Monday, fire risk remains a concern in California’s dry summer landscape.
The North Bay has been hit the hardest by the weather pattern so far, with temperatures up to 94 degrees forecast on Monday and Tuesday, and — after a slower-than-typical start to wildfire season — fires in Napa and Sonoma counties.
The Hardin Fire in Napa County has spread 79 acres and is 65% contained as of Tuesday morning, while the Ledson Fire in Sonoma County is currently 17 acres.
That blaze is 45% contained after it triggered evacuation orders on Monday afternoon.
Further north, in Sierra County, the Elephant Fire has burned more than 12,000 acres since Saturday, spurring evacuations and warnings across neighboring counties. It is currently 5% contained.
Fire officials said Tuesday morning that rain fell through the night and weather was overcast in the Sierra Valley, giving crews a window to “continue securing the fireline while working towards full containment.”
The National Interagency Fire Center warned of above-average fire potential throughout Northern California this summer, with risk increasing in July and August as temperatures rise and greenery withers.
“The grasses and finer fuels have dried out,” said Roger Gass, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. “Anything that is human-induced fire starter, they’re typically not a concern to become widespread, but we’re expecting that anything that sparks a fire will create a potential wildfire.”
Looking ahead, Gass said there are indications that risky storm conditions could return late this week as humidity rises again, but it’s too soon to issue any warnings or predict conditions with much certainty.
He said the weather service would be monitoring thunderstorms and dry lightning risk.