Flash Flood Watch Issued For Kincade Fire Burn Area, Downstream

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Communities within the Kincade Fire burn area in northern Sonoma County, as well as those downstream, are under a flash flood watch beginning Friday, according to the National Weather Service San Francisco Bay Area.

The flash flood watch is for the mountains and interior valleys of the North Bay, and is set to be in effect from 4 p.m. Friday through 4 a.m. Saturday.

The flash flood watch applies to cities and communities in three North Bay counties: Sonoma, Napa and Marin. Flash flooding may occur in South Santa Rosa, Napa, San Rafael, Petaluma, Novato, Rohnert Park, Angwin, Lagunitas-Forest Knolls and Woodacre, according to the National Weather Service.

"Steadier rain will develop Friday afternoon and continue into the weekend," weather officials said. "Excessive rain rates and rainfall amounts Friday and Friday night from 2 to 4 inches may trigger flash flooding over the burn area."

The Kincade Fire started Oct. 23 near The Geysers and burned more than 77,000 acres from Geyserville to Windsor and in between.

Residents in the flash flood watch area are encouraged to monitor forecasts and be prepared to take action should flash flood warnings be issued.

Conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding, "a very dangerous situation," weather officials said.

Heavy rainfall may lead to rockslides, debris flow and flash flooding in recent burn areas and downstream locations, forecasters say.

The probability of rain is 100-percent Friday and Saturday, with the heaviest rainfall expected Friday night, according to the weather service.