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CBS News
3 days ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Parts of Michigan currently at risk of wildfire spread, air quality alerts issued
Wildfire continues to be a significant risk in Michigan, with much of the state under notices for elevated wildfire potential. Specifically, a Red Flag Warning alerting to the potential for critical fire weather conditions is in effect until 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CST Monday across Western Upper Michigan. Low humidity and southwest winds of 20 to 25 mph mean "any fire that develops will catch and spread quickly," the National Weather Service in Marquette posted. "Campfires, outdoor grills, smoking materials, fireworks, chain saws, and all-terrain vehicles all have the potential to throw a spark and ignite a dangerous and destructive fire." In addition, the National Weather Service bureaus that handle notices for the Lower Peninsula showed an Elevated Fire Risk for several counties in Eastern Upper Michigan, Northern Lower Michigan and Western Lower Michigan in their announcements Monday morning. There have already been several small wildfires reported and brought under containment in Michigan in recent days, according to the maps at the FireWeatherAvalanche website. Those locations were in Delta, Lake, Mackinac, Manistee and Newaygo counties. Roscommon County was the scene of another fire Sunday, where Michigan State Police assisted Michigan Department of Natural Resources officers with aviation views from an MSP helicopter. Air quality advisories Summer wildfires are not just a regional weather issue, but an international one. Drifting smoke from dozens of wildfires in Canada has been contributing to smoky, hazy skies in the United States for days. Michigan has been in the path of those smoke drifts at times, with air quality advisories issued for the entire state on Friday. Another round of air quality advisories because of Canadian smoke was issued Monday for counties in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Gusty winds and low humidity spark Red Flag Warning in parts of Northern California
( — The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning starting early morning on Monday for the Northern and Central Sacramento Valley and the adjacent northern Coastal Range. A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either happening or will happen later, NWS said. This is when a combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can start a fire that can rapidly grow in size and intensity. According to NWS, the warning comes due to gusty winds and low humidity, which will be in effect from 2 a.m. to 8 p.m. The winds are expected across the northern and central Sacramento Valley, along west of I-5, and into the northern Coastal Range. NWS stated that the speed of the winds will be 15 to 25 mph with possible gusts of 30 to 40 mph. Lucky guest wins $549K jackpot at Thunder Valley's new slot machines The humidity level is forecast to be between nine and 20 percent, with the highest threat being in the Northern Sacramento Valley. NWS asks the public to avoid and obey the following activities: Outdoor burning Do not use a lawn mower or drive on dry grass or brush Do not have vehicle parts or chains dragging on the ground Properly dispose of cigarettes and matches Obey local burn bans and evacuate if told to Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
7 days ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Increased temperatures bring an elevated wildfire risk to the Bay Area
The National Weather Service is warning dry and windy conditions will bring an elevated wildfire risk through Saturday. Dry and windy conditions will pose an elevated fire weather threat through Saturday. Ensure that you are always exercising fire weather safety, especially over this time period. Remember, only you can prevent wildfires. #CAwx — NWS Bay Area 🌉 (@NWSBayArea) May 29, 2025 Forecasters have issued a heat advisory for Friday, May 30. Temperatures are projected to reach up to 104 degrees in some parts of the Bay Area. The advisory is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and includes parts of the North Bay, Inland East Bay, South Bay, and the Santa Cruz Mountains. There will be relief from the heat along the coast. According to the National Weather Service Forecast Discussion, "The marine layer will push inland again tonight with a similar depth and coverage. Coastal drizzle/patchy fog will be possible once again. Not only does the marine layer provide a temp contrast, but also a humidity contrast in the vertical. Higher elevations will remain on the drier with moderate to poor humidity recovery." The Forecast Discussion goes on to state that temperatures will begin to go down on Saturday with widespread cooling expected on Sunday. KPIX First Alert Weather: Current conditions, alerts, maps for your area
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Snowmelt lowers fire risk in northeastern New Mexico, but overall state is still parched
Despite the laments of a famous frog, it is easy being green. As late-season snow melted, northeastern New Mexico greened up this month, said service senior hydrologist Andrew Mangham for the National Weather Service's Albuquerque office. That's good news for fire risk. 'While you can't control the winds and the low humidities, that green ... makes those fuels less receptive to spreading fire,' Mangham said. 'So fire weather concerns are, in fact, muted up in the areas where we caught that snow because of the beneficial effects it's having on all the fuels.' Snowmelt has an important role in the state's water cycle. After recent snowfall in the northeastern corner of the state, the area is seeing relief from short-term drought conditions. But despite the recent precipitation windfall, long-term drought conditions probably aren't going away any time soon. Drought map Much of New Mexico still remains in some form of drought. The majority of the snow has already melted, although there's still some remaining near Santa Fe and Taos, Mangham said. That's left rivers around the Sangre de Cristo Mountains with higher-than-normal flows. Although some areas are seeing too much, too fast — Mangham said there have been reports of flooding in the Rociada area, when warm rain quickly melted snow — typically snowmelt provides a gentler form of hydration than the dramatic summer monsoons. 'But one of the reasons snowmelt is such an important component of our water supply is that it's a fundamentally different mode of delivery for water than the monsoon season,' Mangham said. 'It kind of slowly bleeds out, and that really gives it a chance to infiltrate and cause green up in the rivers and trees and forests.' The recent precipitation and snowmelt is a boon for short-term drought conditions in northeastern New Mexico, Mangham said. In the short term, drought can affect growing seasons, soil quality and rangelands. But it's not all good news. Long-term drought conditions, which impact the overall water supply, will likely endure, Mangham said. And while some parts of the state were saturated, others missed out. The southwestern corner of the state still experiencing high fire risk; while drought conditions improved slightly over last week, about 98% of the state is still experiencing some level of drought, according to National Weather Service data. 'A good spring that wets the ground and get some of the trees looking healthier doesn't make up for the fact that many of our forests are suffering from long-term drought stress,' Mangham said. 'That's why our piñon trees, for example, are starting to die off in certain parts of the state because they're just suffering from long-term drought stress.' Earlier this year, the state Forestry Division released a report showing tree deaths in the state's forest had more than doubled between 2023 and 2024. A coordinator for the service at the time said drought had been a long-time stressor on forests in the Southwest. The recent burst of precipitation didn't make up for the 'tremendously dry' winter, Mangham said. While the monsoon is an important part of the state's water cycle, the cyclical storms occur during hotter weather. When the rainwater spreads out, a significant amount is lost to evaporation. 'That snowpack, that winter water supply — the importance of that cannot be overestimated,' Mangham said.
CBS News
18-05-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Northern California's first Red Flag Warning of year set to go into effect Sunday morning
SACRAMENTO – Northern California is set to see its first Red Flag Warning of the year on Sunday with whipping winds and warm conditions. The red flag conditions stretching from Modesto to Redding, going into effect at 8 a.m. Sunday until 8 p.m. Monday. Winds in the Central and Sacramento Valleys will increase throughout the day on Sunday, with steady, sustained winds from 10 to 20 mph and gusts up to 35 mph. A Red Flag Warning has been issued for the Valley & Delta below 1000 ft. Gusty northerly winds + low humidity will lead to critical fire weather conditions. Main concern is the Central/Southern Sac Valley along & west of the I-5 corridor & the Northern San Joaquin Valley. #cawx — NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) May 17, 2025 The red flag conditions mean fires can spark fast and grow at a dangerous pace. The City of Fairfield announced it closed a few public areas at sunset on Saturday and won't reopen them again until Tuesday morning, if the fire danger passes. Due to gusty winds, dry vegetation & a Red Flag Warning, all burning in SRA areas of Amador, El Dorado, Alpine & Sacramento counties will be suspended starting 12:01 a.m. Sunday, May 18 thru Monday, May 19. We will monitor conditions & provide an update for Tuesday, May 20. — CAL FIRE AEU (@CALFIREAEU) May 18, 2025 Cal Fire put out a notice Saturday saying all burning is banned in Amador, El Dorado, Alpine and Sacramento counties until at least Monday.
