Update: Red Flag Warning Issued For Stanislaus Forest

The National Weather Service has extended the Red Flag Warning for the Stanislaus National Forest until 10 PM Sunday.

Monsoonal moisture will continue to stream into the area bringing thunderstorms over the Sierra Nevada. Initially the thunderstorms may have limited rain, which may lead to lightning fire starts. The storms are expected to become wetter by late Sunday.

Gusty thunderstorm winds also have the potential to quickly spread any lightning fire starts.

Local wind gusts of forty to fifty mph are possible near the thunderstorms.

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of lightning from thunderstorms, low relative humidity, warm temperatures and very dry fuels will create explosive fire growth potential.