Statewide fire summary

Yesterday, firefighters gained full containment on the CZU Lightning Complex in Santa Cruz and San Mateo Counties. Crews continue to battle 26 remaining major wildfires in California. Today there are over 18,200 firefighters on the front lines. Firefighters continue to make progress on the over two dozen major wildfire, as well as the 22 new initial attack wildfires that were sparked across the state yesterday.

Since the beginning of the year, there have been well over 8,000 wildfires that have burned over 3.6 million acres in California. Since August 15, when California’s fire activity elevated, there have been 26 fatalities and over 6,600 structures destroyed.

A Fire Weather Watch will be in effect beginning Saturday morning through a large portion of Northern California for gusty winds and low humidity, bringing critical fire weather conditions. This pattern will remain through Monday, effecting areas including but not limited to the East Bay Hills, North Bay, Sacramento Valley and Sierra Foothills. A sharp increase in temperatures is expected this weekend across most of California, bringing the milder weather we will experience today to an end.

Do you know what a Fire Weather Watch means in the forecast? Or a Red Flag Warning? A Fire Weather Watch most often precipitates a Red Flag Warning and tells you that critical fire weather is on the way. Gusty winds and low humidity are the most common reason for issuing the watches and warnings. Visit https://www.fire.ca.gov/programs/communications/ red- f la g- wa r n i n g s - f ire - weather-watches/ to learn more about this and what CAL FIRE does to prepare.