Weather Service Issues First Red Flag Warning of Fire Season

The Moraga-Orinda fire chief has additional firefighters and equipment at the ready due to the high temperatures, strong winds and low humidity forecasted for Tuesday and Wednesday. 

The National Weather Service has issued a 24-hour Red Flag Warning beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday. 

The full text of the press release from the Moraga-Orinda Fire Department is below: 

A Red Flag Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service from 18:00 hours on Tuesday, April 30, 2013 until 18:00 hours Wednesday, May 1, 2013.

Fire Chief Randy Bradley stated that he is very concerned about wildfires this year due to lack of rainfall, along with higher than normal temperatures and an abundance of dry vegetation. 

This is the first of what may be one of many Red Flag Warnings of the season.

The National Weather Service issues Red Flag Warnings when weather conditions such as high temperature, strong winds and low humidity create an environment for extreme burning conditions. 

Temperatures today could reach a high of 87 degrees, with wind gusts reaching 40 mph and humidity reaching a low of 10%.

Wednesday’s temperatures could reach a high of 89 degrees, wind gusts to 40 mph and 10% humidity.

Chief Bradley staffed additional firefighters and equipment for the Red Flag Warning Period.

He warns all District residents to use caution when operating any machinery that could produce heat or sparks, to observe the no open burning rule and to utilize the resources available from Firewise and MOFD.org to prepare their homes and property to be safer from wildfires.