All articles tagged with #red flag warning
Several large wildfires on Colorado’s Western Slope near the Utah border have burned tens of thousands of acres, prompting pre-evacuation notices in Mesa County and mandatory evacuations near Ouray, as a red-flag warning signals high wildfire danger across the region.
Utah is under its first-ever National Weather Service red-flag warning as hot, windy, and dry conditions fuel explosive wildfires, prompting a state of emergency and a temporary fireworks ban through July 5. Nine fires are burning across more than 143,000 acres, including the Cottonwood Fire described as the most destructive in state history; evacuations continue, smoke blankets the region, and air quality is affected at Zion and Bryce Canyon as a West-wide heatwave raises fire danger.
The National Weather Service in Salt Lake City issued Utah’s first-ever Particularly Dangerous Situation Red Flag Warning for central and southern Utah as wildfires rage across the state. Gusty winds, dry conditions and drought have driven rapid fire growth, with the Cottonwood Fire near Beaver and the Iron Fire near Eureka growing and prompting evacuations, power shutoffs, and road closures. New fires appeared in Juab and Millard counties, while Gov. Cox banned fireworks statewide through July 5 to reduce risk.
Beaver, UT – Firefighters continued to battle the Cottonwood Fire under a dangerous National Weather Service red flag warning, with humidity around 8% and gusts up to 50 mph. About 71,841 acres have burned as more than 650 firefighters push to slow the fire, build contingency lines, and protect structures, while maintaining safety amid volatile conditions and the risk of rapid flame spread and spotting.
Firefighters stopped forward progression on the Pelada Fire (4.9 acres) east of Santa Fe in the Santa Fe National Forest, using a direct extinguishment strategy with containment anticipated tonight; about 30 personnel including a hotshot crew, engines, and an ambulance are on scene. Separately, the Rio Fire (5–10 acres) northeast of Chicoma Mountain is burning in rocky, fuels-heavy terrain with limited access, and a red flag warning is in effect today; resources include three engines, two Type 1 helicopters, and a Type 2 Initial Attack hand crew, totaling roughly 35 personnel. Smoke from both fires may be visible in nearby communities.
A fast-moving wildfire erupted on Beacon Hill near Upriver Drive in Spokane Valley, tearing through trees and burning hundreds of acres with no containment as winds pushed it east; authorities issued Level 3 evacuations for 11,750 people and threatened more than 2,300 structures. Fire crews—with air tankers, helicopters, and mutual aid from regional agencies—worked to protect homes while power was cut in some areas and a Red Cross shelter opened for evacuees. The cause is under investigation and containment is expected to take days.
PG&E says power shutoffs are likely Sunday and Monday across Alameda, Colusa, Contra Costa, Fresno, Glenn, Lake, Merced, Napa, San Benito, San Joaquin, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Tehama and Yolo, with a smaller set possibly affected Tuesday in Colusa, Fresno, Glenn, San Benito and Tehama. The outages come as high winds and dry conditions raise fire risk, with a Red Flag Warning in effect for parts of Solano County, the Delta, the Sacramento Valley and the Central Valley. PG&E hasn’t disclosed an exact customer count, but outages in recent years have been less widespread.
APS cut power to about 6,000 Flagstaff-area customers during a red-flag wind event to curb wildfire risk; power was restored to all by about 7 p.m. on April 22, with roughly 150 additional customers north of Flagstaff affected near Grand Canyon. APS called the shutdown a last-resort safety measure and offered programs for medical customers and ice/dry-ice reimbursements for those impacted.
Chicago is under a Red Flag Warning through Wednesday night due to warm temperatures and gusty winds—up to 45 mph—that raise the fire risk. Any grass or brush fires could spread quickly; highs will reach the upper 60s, with a wind advisory for areas north and northwest of the city, and the highest risk along and west of Fox Valley and I-55.
Xcel Energy told Colorado customers to prepare for potential planned or unplanned power outages due to elevated wildfire risk from low snowpack and dry, warm conditions, as the National Weather Service issued a prolonged Red Flag Warning; residents who rely on electricity for medical equipment should enroll in the Safe for Colorado program, and officials note prior outages and possible future restrictions as drought persists.
The Franklin Fire in Malibu, California, has prompted evacuation orders for 18,000 residents as Red Flag warnings persist due to strong winds and low humidity. The fire has rapidly spread, consuming over 3,000 acres and destroying at least seven structures. Notable residents like Dick Van Dyke and Mark Hamill have been affected. Schools in the area are closed, and power outages have impacted thousands. Firefighters continue to battle the blaze, with conditions expected to improve slightly by Wednesday afternoon.
Southern California is under red flag warnings due to a powerful Santa Ana wind event expected to bring dangerous fire weather conditions. Wind gusts of 50-80 mph and low humidity levels are forecasted, increasing the risk of wildfires, especially in areas like the San Gabriel and Santa Monica mountains. The warnings, which are rarely issued, highlight the growing frequency of extreme weather events due to climate change. Residents are advised to prepare for potential power outages and evacuations.
Massachusetts is experiencing multiple wildfires amid a red flag warning due to dry conditions and gusty winds. Fires have spread across the state, with significant incidents in Lynn Woods Reservation and North Andover, where homes were damaged for the first time. Firefighters are working to contain the blazes, with another red flag warning issued for Sunday. Public access to certain areas is restricted as efforts continue to manage the fires.
A red flag warning has been issued for the Washington area due to high winds and dry conditions, elevating the risk of fast-moving wildfires, with multiple fires already reported in western Virginia and eastern West Virginia. Wind gusts of 30 to 45 mph in the region and 40 to 60 mph in western Virginia are exacerbating the situation, with very dry relative humidity values further increasing the concern. Evacuations have been reported for some areas, and fire crews are facing challenges due to the high level of activity. The warning is in effect until 8 p.m., with continued fire caution advised for the following day.
A Red Flag Warning is in effect for nearly all of Iowa, with burning not recommended due to the risk of rapid fire spread. Several counties already had burn bans in place, and summer-like temperatures are expected to reach record highs. As of Monday morning, 11 Iowa counties had burn bans in effect, including Harrison, Pottawattamie, and Mills.