City of Berkeley, CA

10/16/2024 | Press release | Archived content

Red Flag Warning Indicating Higher Fire Risk for Berkeley and East Bay Hills, Oct. 17 - 19, 2024

Hills residents should be ready to evacuate and take precautions to prevent fires. Everyone should take precautions to prevent fires.

Published:
October 15, 2024
Last Updated:
October 19, 2024

"Red Flag" fire conditions starting at 11pm on October 17 require Berkeleyans to take greater precautions to prevent fires, ensure they are signed up for emergency alerts and know how to use the city's emergency map.

While humidity and wind conditions worsened into Extreme Fire Weather on October 18, prompting a recommendation to leave the hills, those conditions eased as of 7am on October 19. Nonetheless, the Red Flag conditions are expected to last through 5pm on Saturday October 19, and include higher winds and lower humidity - conditions that lead to quick ignition and spread of fires.

Winds are expected to increase Thursday afternoon, with gusts of up to 40 and 65 miles per hour over the course of the two days, according to the National Weather Service, which has also forecasted that humidity will also drop dramatically.

Make sure you are signed up for emergency texts and emails through AC Alert and know how to navigate the City's emergency map, which would indicate emergency actions for each neighborhood.

Use extreme caution when operating BBQs, power equipment or other heat sources, such as idling cars. Remember that fireworks are illegal in Berkeley and surrounding areas.

Prepare now to increase your control

Red Flag Warnings are an early indicator of fire risk. They are not as severe as "Extreme Fire Weather" days, rare conditions underlying many of California's most destructive fires.

Being prepared now is the first step to responding to emergencies. Start preparing:Sign up all your devices for AC Alert. During emergencies, AC Alert messages will keep you informed about protective actions you should take. Make sure you leave your phone on to receive alerts even if you are sleeping and don't use "do not disturb" mode during high-risk weather. Use Berkeley's Emergency Map to monitor important locations such as your home, work, or child's school, and receive real-time alerts about any status changes or emergencies in those zones. Bookmark it on your browser or save it to your device's home screen. You can also download the Genasys Protect App for real-time status updates delivered directly to your phone.

  • Put your go-bag by the front door.
  • Plan multiple evacuation routes, including two by foot.
  • Park off-street. Back your car into your driveway or garage, leaving streets clear for emergency vehicles.

Learn more about Red Flag Warnings and Extreme Fire Weather on our fire weather and evacuation webpage.

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