Latest news with #FireWeatherWatch
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Live Blog: NWS issues its First Red Flag Warning of the season
( — The National Weather Service issued a Fire Weather Watch for the Northern and Central Sacramento Valley on Thursday, but it has since been upgraded to a Red Flag Warning. The warning is expected to last until Monday at 8 p.m. NWS stated the humidity level will be between 15 to 25 percent, with the highest threat set to be in Central and Southern Sacramento Valley, along and west of the I-5 corridor, and the Northern San Joaquin Valley. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
Modesto PD to conduct DUI checkpoint Friday night
( Modesto Police Department is holding a DUI Checkpoint on Friday at 8 p.m. at an undisclosed location. According to MPD, DUI checkpoint locations are based on the data showing incidents of impaired driving-related crashes. The main point of these checkpoints is to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off the road. National Weather Service issues a Fire Weather Watch for Sacramento region 'Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk,' Sergeant Robert Hall said. 'Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improve traffic safety.' MPD stated that they want to remind the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. There are some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs that may interfere with driving. MPD said, 'While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.' Drivers that have been charged with a first-time DUI will face an average of $13,500 fines and penalties as well as a suspended license, stated MPD. MPD said the funding of this program was by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
National Weather Service issues a Fire Weather Watch for Sacramento region
( — The National Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather Watch for the Northern and Central Sacramento Valley starting Sunday morning due to strong winds coming in from the north. The NWS stated that the watch will last until Monday at 8 p.m. According to Chief Meteorologist Adam Epstein, the recent warm weather has dried out vegetation below 1000 feet in elevation. Grasses have become fuel for fires. If a fire starts, windy conditions on Sunday and Monday could quickly spread the flames. Northerly gusts of 20-35 mph are forecast, with the strongest winds likely to occur on Monday. NWS officials said the Fire Weather Watch is being issued due to the combination of gusty winds and low humidity, which can cause fires to rapidly grow in size and intensity. Outdoor burning is not recommended while the Watch is in effect. NWS shares some Fire Weather safety: Proper disposal of cigarettes and matches Avoid power equipment that creates sparks Make sure no vehicle parts drag on growing, including towing chains Do not park your vehicle over dry grass and vegetation Starting next week, the Sacramento region can expect to experience consistent 90-degree high temperatures, according to the NWS. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Beyond the Forecast: What are ‘Fire Weather Watches' and ‘Red Flag Warnings'?
GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – Over the weekend, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) upgraded the fire danger risk for numerous counties across the state, including placing Langlade and northern Marinette counties under an 'extreme' fire danger classification. That shift in risk level was quickly followed by the National Weather Service issuing a Fire Weather Watch, which was later elevated to a Red Flag Warning for 21 counties in total. 21 northern Wisconsin counties under warning from DNR face extreme wildfire conditions But what do these alerts mean? 'Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches are a fire prevention tool to increase public awareness of the conditions and to assist in preventing human-caused fires,' explained Angela Rogers, the DNR's Oconto Falls team leader. 'Extreme fire danger is defined as explosive conditions, which is the worst possible fire danger that we can have here.' Several weather and environmental factors go into determining wildfire risk. Among them: dry ground from limited rainfall, low relative humidity levels below 25%, strong surface winds above 50 miles per hour, and temperatures warmer than 75 degrees. When these conditions align, Rogers urges the public to be extremely careful with any activity that could ignite a fire. 'What the public can do is avoid any burning — we really recommend not starting any fires,' said Rogers. 'Be cautious when mowing the lawn, using equipment such as chainsaws, smoking, grilling, or disposing of ashes. Make sure everything is out. In these windy, dry conditions, it's easy to spark a fire.' In a press release, the Wisconsin DNR said they responded to 100 wildfires in the past week alone, many in northern Wisconsin. That spike in fire activity led officials to raise the risk level from 'very high' to 'extreme.' The National Weather Service told Local 5 News that Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches remain rare. Since 2006, the NWS has issued just 21 Red Flag Warnings and 16 Fire Weather Watches for the region. Although areas such as Green Bay, the Fox Cities, and the lakeshore are not currently in the 'extreme' category, they are still classified under 'high' or 'very high' risk levels. Rogers said that even those areas should take the alerts seriously. 'It's not a bad idea to be extra cautious. Understand that in these elevated conditions, fires will start and spread very rapidly,' Rogers said. Green Bay fire and police teams work together to rescue baby raccoons Dry marshlands and invasive phragmites are especially vulnerable, but even fast-burning green grass fires are becoming more frequent. Residents are encouraged to stay updated on current fire conditions and local burn regulations by visiting the Wisconsin DNR's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Burn Bans issued in multiple Siouxland counties as summer-like stretch drags on
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) — The continued hot, breezy, and dry stretch of weather continues across Siouxland through early this week, resulting in near critical to critical fire danger in parts of the area that continue to be in severe to extreme drought. In response to this dangerous fire weather, several counties in NE Nebraska and SE South Dakota have issued burn bans. Nebraska statewide burn ban extended again In Nebraska, Governor Jim Pillen extended the open burn ban and suspension of burn permit issuance throughout much of the state. The ban will remain in place through May 20. According to Governor Pillen's executive order, 'under no circumstances are burns to be authorized in any area' when a Red Flag Warning is issued. You can find the full executive order . Additional burn bans in the Siouxland area include: Yankton County, SD: Now through Wednesday, May 14th (Yankton County EMA) Union County, SD: Until 9 PM Monday, May 12th & 11 AM-8 PM Tuesday, May 13th No burning/open burns are permitted in these areas. Red Flag Warnings remain in effect through 9 PM Monday night for all areas within these burn bans with highs into the upper 80's/low 90's, gust 30-40 mph, and relative humidities less than 20-25% in place. In addition, Fire Weather Watches have already been issued from 11 AM through 9 PM Tuesday with near-critical to critical fire danger expected once again across the region as extremely dry, warm, and breezy conditions continue. Elevated fire danger is expected outside of these areas as well though with nearly all of Siouxland at least abnormally dry. Caution should be exercised regardless of if you're in a Red Flag Warning or Fire Weather Watch as any fire that is sparked will spread rapidly. In and around these burn bans and Red Flag Warnings/Fire Weather watches, exercise extreme caution to avoid sparking a fire and: Use grills/smokers/etc on gravel/paved/non-grassy surfaces Properly dispose of cigarettes, don't toss them onto the ground Avoid outdoor burning & adhere to any burn bans issued Secure tow chains to avoid dragging/sparking Don't drive/park on grass/vegetation Be careful with equipment/tools that may cause sparks If you spot a fire, report it immediately by calling 911 For the latest weather any time in Siouxland, visit the . Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
