California Red Flag Warning Sparks Concern For 4th of July

Residents of Northern California are being warned of the potential for “rapid fire spread” over the Fourth of July holiday, with a “red flag” fire warning covering large parts of the region.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has forecast “potentially record-breaking heat” in California over the next week, helping to significantly elevate the risk of wildfires when combined with expected dry and windy conditions in the northern part of the state.

The San Francisco Bay Area NWS office said on Tuesday that red flag warnings would be in effect until 5 a.m. on Friday morning in the Santa Cruz Mountains, North Bay interior mountains, the Marin Coastal Range, the Sonoma Coastal Range and the East Bay Hills.

In a graphic posted to the NWS Bay Area website, the office pointed out that “critical fire weather concerns” exist in the affected areas. Locals were urged to avoid burning anything outside, “as weather conditions will be conducive for rapid fire spread.”

Concerns about Fourth of July fireworks potentially sparking wildfires, particularly in areas that are already vulnerable due to weather conditions, were not limited to Northern California.

The Los Angeles NWS office also warned residents to “be extra careful with any potential fire ignition sources, including 4th of July fireworks” while issuing warnings of “excessive heat” in the southern part of the state this week.

Fireworks are banned in many parts of California due to the potential for causing fires and injuries, although limited types of “safe and sane” fireworks bearing official seals are permitted in other areas of the state.

Illegal fireworks purchased out-of-state continue to be used by some in California despite potential criminal penalties that include a $50,000 fine and year in jail.

Climate scientist Daniel Swain warned on Tuesday in a post to X, formerly Twitter, that the current conditions in Northern California and the hot summer temperatures were “not a great combo” for mitigating the risk of wildfires.

“With extension of current Red Flag Warning into Friday (!) across parts of NorCal, this represents an extraordinarily long duration of very high fire risk conditions amid a historic heatwave,” Swain wrote. “Not a great combo, especially given ‘unauthorized’ 4th of July firework.”

Last week, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection published a series of safety tips for those using legal fireworks, including advice like “only use them away from people, houses, and flammable materials” and to avoid ignition “near dry grass or other flammable vegetation.”

Newsweek reached out for comment to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection via email on Tuesday evening.

“With fireworks causing over 46 million dollars in property loss statewide over the last decade with over 10,500 fires in total, preventing fires and injuries caused by fireworks begins with you,” California State Fire Marshal Daniel Berlant said in a statement. “Don’t be the reason your Fourth of July holiday goes up in smoke.”

Julie Heckman, executive director the the fireworks trade organization American Pyrotechnics Association, said in a statement last month that “fireworks use is expected to hit an all-time high this year” due in part to “July 4 falling on a Thursday for the long weekend.”