Up and down the state, wildfires are driving residents from their homes. About 180,000 in Sonoma have been ordered to leave, and part of Napa is under a warning.
Thomas Fuller and Tim Arango report for the New York Times
High winds are expected to return to much of the state on Tuesday, fanning the flames and prompting more blackouts.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Forecasters warn of more extreme weather on Tuesday.
- Before one blackout ends, another looms.
- California blackouts knock out cellphone service for many in harm’s way.
- Evacuations in West Los Angeles jam a major freeway.
- Should you wear a face mask for wildfire smoke?
- Firefighters scramble to protect a major art museum.
- ‘It feels like an incremental apocalypse’
Forecasters warn of more extreme weather on Tuesday.
The worst kind of weather for wildfires — strong, gusty winds and very low humidity — will return on Tuesday after a relative respite on Monday, the National Weather Service said, raising the prospect of more fire outbreaks and rapid growth of the blazes that are already burning.
The agency has posted “red flag” warnings for most of Northern California and much of Southern California, taking effect at various times on Tuesday.
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Winds gusts of up to 60 miles an hour could be expected beginning in the morning over a vast stretch of the state from the Sierras to the Pacific and from the southern fringes of the Bay Area north nearly to the Oregon border, except for coastal areas north of Sonoma County.
Similar conditions will develop Tuesday night from Santa Barbara south to the Mexican border and well inland, other than coastal areas south of Anaheim, and would persist into Thursday, forecasters said.
Red-flag weather has played an important role in driving the growth of the Kincade, Getty and other fires, and has prompted pre-emptive blackouts by utility companies hoping to keep wind-damaged power lines and equipment from touching off more blazes.
Before one blackout ends, another looms.
The power may still be off for millions of Californians when the next blackout comes, state officials said on Monday.
Roughly 587,000 Pacific Gas & Electric customers remained without power on Monday afternoon because of intentional blackouts meant to limit the risk of wildfires.
