SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Dangerous fire conditions are arriving early this year, with a Red Flag Warning already being issued the first week in May.
The National Weather Service in Sacramento says looking back to about 2006, this is one of the earliest Red Flag Warnings they’ve had to issue. There was one on January 14-16, 2014 but that may be considered a late-season warning and not an early-season warning.
A shifting weather pattern over the weekend brings us right back to an elevated fire danger situation. Dry, northerly winds will increase in the Sacramento Valley Saturday. This will bring warmer temperatures and lower humidity levels.
Growing drought conditions and recent unseasonably warm temperatures are also contributing to the rapid drying of vegetation/fuels like grasses. In fact, some models show near-record dryness.
Of course, fires don't start without a spark. Some ways to help prevent this include mowing and weeding before 10 a.m., never using lawnmowers in dry grass, and never pulling over a vehicle in dry grass. Also, check for dragging chains on the road. This can send sparks flying into surrounding dry grass.
WATCH NEXT: PG&E: Politics and crime | A FIRE - POWER - MONEY SPECIAL (Apr 26, 2021)
ABC10’s investigation found California politicians kept taking money from PG&E after the company pleaded guilty to 84 felony manslaughters. Evidence of PG&E’s crimes is beginning to come out and the company faces new criminal investigations for sparking deadly, destructive wildfires.
Click here to watch and subscribe to the ABC10 YouTube channel.
