Red Flag Fire Warning For East Bay Hills Through Sunday

A fire warning is in effect for the East Bay hills and elsewhere around the Bay Area through Sunday, according to the National Weather Service's California Fire Weather page.

A forecast of hot weather and gusty winds combined with low humidity are a recipe for the start of the fire season, as residents of the Shell Ridge Open Space area in Walnut Creek discovered today, when a wildfire spread quickly out of control, burning more than 100 acres and threatening some homes.

"This will likely be the hottest and driest weekend so far this season," according to the warning. "Which will result in rapid drying of flashy fuels." 

A red flag warning is considered the highest alert, and area residents are urged to be cautious because one spark could cause a major wildfire.

During such a warning period, additional firefighters and equipment are put on call around the clock.

Tips for homeowners include:

*Only do yard work that requires mowers or electric equipment before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m. and never during extremely dry conditions.

*Be careful with campfires, making sure they are completely extinguished.

*Make sure there is 100 feet of defensible space around homes and structures and trim branches so they are 6 feet from the ground.