The weather service first issued the latest red-flag warning Saturday afternoon. These warnings guide land managers on when to curtail certain activities and where to shifting firefighting resources, as well to urge the public to be careful using fire and machinery.
The forecast calls for north to northeast winds of 15 to 30 mph throughout the Bay Area and much of Northern California, with gusts reaching 45 mph. Relative humidity readings are expected to remain very low throughout the warning period.
While these conditions are expected to ease at 3 p.m. in much of the Bay Area, the weather service is keeping the red flag warning in effect through noon Tuesday in the North and East Bay hills.
With the arrival of cooler fall temperatures, fire officials worry that the public could become complacent, but they point out that last year's devastating fires in Southern California didn't break out until Oct. 21. They say there's still time for land owners in fire-prone areas to clear away brush from structures, which allows firefighters a chance to save building that otherwise may burn.
Conditions are expected to ease as a low pressure systems pushes into the region later today and Tuesday.
