Red Flag Warning Monday Night – Wednesday Morning
The US National Weather Service has upgraded the Fire Weather Watch for the North Bay Mountains to a Red Flag Warning due to hot and dry conditions combined with increasing offshore winds starting at 10:00 PM Monday through 8:00 AM Wednesday.
A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. It is strongly advised to monitor/be aware of weather conditions, possible loss of electric power, and fire danger. During these times extreme caution is urged by all residents because a simple spark can cause a major wildfire. Learn more from CAL FIRE.
Monday Flex Alert: Energy Conservation Needed 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The extreme weather is also increasing demand on the statewide electric grid. Separate from any Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) event, the state’s grid operator has issued a Flex Alert, a voluntary call for energy conservation to help balance power supply with demand. That Flex Alert runs from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. today.
Potential PG&E Public Safety Power Shut Off for Portions of 21 Counties
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is monitoring the offshore wind event forecasted to start Monday evening and continue through midday Wednesday and has begun its 24-hour advance notifications to customers in areas where PG&E may need to proactively turn off power. The potential PSPS starting Monday evening could impact a portion of Sonoma County. At this time, it appears that the City of Sonoma will not be impacted. Customers can look up their address online to find out if their location is being monitored for the potential safety shutoff at www.pge.com/pspsupdates.