LOS GATOS, Calif. (KRON) — The Santa Cruz Mountains, along with much of California’s Central Coast, are under a red flag warning Friday due to increased fire danger.
Conditions in the region could produce thunderstorms that could spark wildfires, according to the National Weather Service. There is a 20-30% chance of thunderstorms that could bring isolated lightning strikes with minimal rainfall and winds of 40-50 mph accompanying them, creating an elevated risk of wildfires, forecasters said.
The red flag warning is in effect from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday.
Cal Fire already has its hands full with two wildfires burning in Monterey County near Big Sur. The Timber Fire has burned over 23,000 acres, closing a portion of Highway 1 and triggering evacuation orders. Hot and dry conditions are threatening progress.
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Firefighters are concerned about loose tow chains on vehicles dragging across the pavement and causing a spark, along with cigarette butts being tossed out the window, or campfires being left unattended.
The weather service advised people to keep an emergency kit ready and to heed any evacuation instructions in the event of a fire…