The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for much of the Bay Area and Central Coast, in effect through 7 a.m. Thursday. Critically dry conditions and powerful offshore winds are creating a high fire risk, with peak gusts reaching 60 to 70 mph in North Bay Interior Mountains under a Wind Advisory until 3 p.m. Wednesday.
Winds have been intensifying, with Mt. St. Helena recording gusts up to 64 mph and Mt. Umunhum reaching 44 mph. Elevated areas above 1,000 feet are seeing gusts between 25 to 40 mph. Humidity levels are plummeting, exacerbating the fire danger across the region.