Bay Area heat wave: ‘Elevated fire risk’ for Bay Area
( KRON ) — A broiling heat wave that is already being blamed for at least one death is now in its third day — with no immediate end in sight . Excessive heat warnings, heat advisories and red flag warnings have been extended across the Bay Area.
With several fires burning across the Bay Area, several cities have canceled fireworks and other Fourth of July celebrations due to high heat and fire danger. Some residents have already experienced heat-related power outages and rolling blackouts remain a possibility with the current heat event set to stretch well into next week.
Bay Area heat wave updates:
Thursday, July 4
9:30 p.m. — Fireworks cause three-acre grass fire in Martinez
A blaze in Martinez burned three acres before forward progress was stopped, according to the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District. The fire is believed to have been caused by fireworks.
6:10 p.m. — Two areas officially reach record-breaking heat
The National Weather Service said two record-high 4th of July temperatures were broken or tied on Thursday.
San Rafael tied its previous 2013 4th of July record at 98 degrees Fahrenheit.
San Francisco Airport beat its previous record-high heat at 87 F on Thursday. The last highest record was 86 F in 1973, NWS said.
6:00 p.m. — 4th of July celebrations continue in Pleasant Hill despite heat
KRON4's Lezla Gooden reports.
5:10 p.m. — Grass fire sparks on Treasure Island
The San Francisco Fire Department responded to a wildfire on Treasure Island just before 5 p.m. The fire started from fireworks, according to California Highway Patrol's traffic log.
The right eastbound lane of the Bay Bridge and the eastbound Yerba Buena Island off-ramp were shut down due to the fire, which was later contained.
Traffic delays are expected to continue, SFFD said.
3:20 p.m. — Bay Area remains under 'elevated fire risk'
Most of the Bay Area remains under an elevated fire risk Thursday, according to the NWS. Even for areas not under an official advisory, fire danger remains extreme due to "record dry fuels, hot conditions continuing to dry fuels, and single digit relative humidity," the weather service advised.
KRON4's Stephanie Lin spoke to San Francisco Fire Department Capt. Jonathan Baxter about fire safety tips for this July 4th holiday.
1:39 p.m. — Con Fire responds to grass fires from fireworks
The Contra Costa County Fire Authority said it responded to two grass fires from illegal fireworks Wednesday night.
The first fire occurred from 8 p.m. Wednesday to 2 p.m. Thursday on Marsh Creek Road in Brentwood. The second fire was occured in Pittsburgh near W Leland and Villa Dr. It was stopped and contained at 10 acres.
Both fires are believed to have been caused by fireworks. "All fireworks are illegal in Contra Costa County," the agency tweeted.
1:28 p.m. — Dublin cooling center open at senior center
Dublin area residents can access an emergency cooling center Thursday through Sunday at the Dublin Senior Center. The Senior Center, located at 7600 Amador Valley Blvd., in Dublin, will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. as an emergency cooling center during an excessive heat warning from the National Weather Service that is in effect through Sunday night.
The high in Dublin on Thursday is forecast to be 99 degrees. On Friday it will inch higher to 100 degrees, which will remain the high temperature forecast for Saturday. Sunday's high is forecast to be 97 degrees.
1:21 p.m. — Fire on I-280 in San Jose
There is a fire on the southbound lanes of I-280 south of US-101 in San Jose, the CHP reports. The right lane is blocked. Drivers are advised to expect delays, use alternate routes and avoid the area.
There is no estimated time to reopen the roadway.
1:06 p.m. — East Bay Regional Parks remain closed through Friday
The East Bay Regional Park District announced Thursday that park closures that originally went into effect on Tuesday will be extended through Friday. The closures are due to the high heat and "extreme fire danger," officials said. An updated list of closed parks can be found on the EBRPD website .
Swim facilities and Shoreline Regional Parks remain open, according to EBRPD.
6:52 a.m. — Red flag warnings in effect
Critically dry conditions and relative humidity below 15% are behind the red flag warnings issued by weather officials for the North Bay's interior mountains, the Santa Cruz Mountains, the coastal ranges of Marin and Sonoma counties and the East Bay hills.
NWS warned there is an increased chance for fires to start and spread. "Excercise fire safety precautions to prevent fire and do NOT set off fireworks," NWS said.
The red flag warnings for most areas affected expire on Saturday at 9 p.m. Marin and Sonoma coastal ranges will have the red flag warning expire on Friday at 5 a.m.
6:40 a.m. — Record-breaking heat
The National Weather Service shared two cities that broke high temperature records for July 3, including San Rafael and Livermore. In San Rafael, Wednesday's temperature rose to 100 degrees, beating the previous record of 99 set in 2001. In Livermore, the high temperature hit 110 degrees, breaking the previous record of 109 set in 2001.
Bay City News contributed to this report.
