High wind advisory — but fires not likely

Dry and gusty winds are expected to rake across the Bay Area early this week, but recent rains have largely quelled concerns about wildfire danger for the region, meteorologists said Monday.

A wind advisory was issued for the Bay Area hills, the North Bay and Santa Cruz mountains and the San Mateo coast from 8 p.m. Monday through 10 a.m. Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. Northeast winds were expected to reach between 15 and 25 mph in the cities and valleys, with up to 65 mph gusts at the highest elevations.

Pacific Gas & Electric Co. was not anticipating any preemptive power shutoffs as a result of the incoming windy weather, a spokesperson for the utility said Monday morning.

Recent rains, snow in the mountains, winter grass crops and a high level of moisture in

fuels could reduce the likelihood of wildfires starting for at least the next several weeks, the spokesperson said.

Though strong gusts will mostly affect high elevations, breezy winds in the cities and valleys could topple power lines and trees, creating hazardous driving conditions and isolated power outages, NWS meteorologist Brayden Murdock said.

Murdock said fire danger remained low in the Bay Area, and the wind advisory could end before Tuesday morning.

“We are starting to see some of our fuels drying out, but we are not seeing red flag warning conditions just yet and probably won’t for this setup,” Murdock said. “Still, when it’s windy here in the Bay Area, we do ask everybody to stay fire weather aware with these breezy conditions.”

Foothill areas, such as Blackhawk in the East Bay, and those at higher elevations, such as Woodacre in the North Bay, and areas along the Peninsula coast could be most impacted by the winds, according to the NWS.

In Southern California, expected gusts up to 35 mph and dry fuels across the region have elevated concerns for new wildfires, according to the NWS. A decrease in humidity and temperatures of 80 degrees or more into the afternoon may increase fire danger to critical levels.

Dry conditions were expected to persist through much of the week. Wednesday is expected to be the warmest day in most parts of the region, with temperatures in the 70s along the coast and low to mid 80s inland.

Temperatures will cool down by the weekend, bringing a slight chance of rain on Sunday.

Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle It could be a good time to fly a kite, as Richmond’s Adam Gerardin did with daughter Nia, 6, in Berkeley in January.

Lance Iversen / The Chronicle 2009 High winds are expected in the hills, raising risk for those who might golf at Blackhawk, as Sharon Valerio did in 2009.