Update: Red Flag Warning Issued For The Mother Lode

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning through 7 AM Wednesday, for both the Mother Lode (1,000 to 3,000 feet) and the Stanislaus National Forest.

Gusty northerly or offshore winds will redevelop again tonight into portions of the Sierra Nevada, continuing through early Wednesday morning. The combination of offshore winds and dry airmass are continuing to bring critical fire weather conditions.

Winds of ten to twenty mph are expected with gusts ranging from twenty to twenty-five mph over the exposed ridges and even stronger through aligned canyons. The strongest winds expected during overnight and morning hours.

Daytime humidity of ten to twenty percent is forecast with the main concern being poor humidity recovery overnight.

Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning in the Stanislaus National Forest is not recommended. Outdoor burning is banned in the Mother Lode.

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.