Red Flag Warning: '20-Year Wind Event' May Hit East Bay

EAST BAY, CA — The National Weather Service San Francisco Bay Area has issued another red flag warning for the East Bay hills and North Bay mountains, saying a "significant offshore wind event, likely the strongest of the year, will develop over the region on Sunday and peak Sunday night into early Monday morning."

The red flag warning — meaning critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly— takes effect at 11 a.m. Sunday and continues through 11 a.m. Tuesday.

"Winds will intensify and become out of the north-northeast," the weather service said. "Strongest wind gusts are expected over the highest peaks and ridges, but these winds are expected to mix down into the valleys and reach the coastline. Winds at lower levels are likely expected from 20-30 mph, with occasional gusts up to 50 mph. Winds at higher elevations will be 25-40 mph, with gusts from 60 to 70 mph."

The forecast of strong winds led to the issuance of a high wind watch from 4 p.m. Sunday to Monday at 9 a.m. for the North Bay, East Bay, San Francisco Peninsula, Bay Shorelines, Santa Cruz Mountains, and the Santa Clara Valley.

"The North Bay Valleys, East Bay Valleys, San Francisco Peninsula, Bay Shoreline, Santa Cruz Mountains, and the Santa Clara Valley will be added to the Red Flag Warning by 8 PM Sunday evening as the winds will further dry conditions and strengthen," the weather service said.

"While winds diminish Monday morning, but dry conditions and the offshore wind direction will remain prompting the Red Flag Warning to remain through Tuesday morning."

'20-Year Wind Event'

A 20-year wind event is expected to hit the Bay Area starting Sunday, the East Bay Regional Park District said.

"Fire danger will be extreme due to expected high winds, low humidity, and dry vegetation," EBRPD said. "High winds also cause falling trees and branches, which can cause injury."

Because of the forecast, the following East Bay regional parks are closed Sunday and Monday:

• Anthony Chabot Regional Park (including Anthony Chabot campground) in Oakland
• Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve in Oakland
• Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve in Oakland
• Kennedy Grove Regional Recreation Area in Orinda
• Lake Chabot Regional Park in Castro Valley
• Leona Canyon Open Space Regional Preserve in Oakland
• Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park in Oakland
• Roberts Regional Recreation Area in Oakland
• Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve in Oakland
• Tilden Regional Park in Oakland
• Wildcat Canyon Regional Park (including Alvarado Park) in Richmond

EBRPD Fire Department will be staffing several park fire stations along with CalFire, which remains on high alert, according to Park District Spokesman Dave Mason.

"Residents are advised not to enter any East Bay Regional Parks during the closure," Mason said. "Anyone entering Regional Parks will be subject to citation or arrest for violation of the Park District’s Ordinance 38."