A Red Flag Warning will go into effect for the Santa Cruz mountains at 11 p.m. Wednesday."Any fires that develop will spread rapidly," the National Weather Service Monterey Bay said. The NWS later extended its Red Flag Warning to high ridges and peaks in Monterey County and San Benito County, including the Santa Lucia Range above Big Sur's coast, as well as Pinnacles National Park.A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are occurring. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.High winds are forecast to blow between Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. North to northeast winds are forecast to hit 25 mph, with gusts at 45 mph, at elevations above 1,500 feet. "These winds will not be as strong as last Sunday night's winds. However, they will be strong enough to down trees and powerlines. More importantly, NorCal wildfires will become increasingly difficult to contain," KSBW Meteorologist Art Jarrett said.Relative humidity will range between 10-20 percent during the day, and 30-40 percent at night.Red Flag Warning for gusty offshore winds and low humidity: Santa Cruz Mountains, Santa Lucia Mountains, mountains of interior Monterey County and San Benito County, North Bay Mountains, East Bay Hills and Diablo Range.

A Red Flag Warning will go into effect for the Santa Cruz mountains at 11 p.m. Wednesday.

"Any fires that develop will spread rapidly," the National Weather Service Monterey Bay said.

The NWS later extended its Red Flag Warning to high ridges and peaks in Monterey County and San Benito County, including the Santa Lucia Range above Big Sur's coast, as well as Pinnacles National Park.

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are occurring. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.



High winds are forecast to blow between Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. North to northeast winds are forecast to hit 25 mph, with gusts at 45 mph, at elevations above 1,500 feet.

"These winds will not be as strong as last Sunday night's winds. However, they will be strong enough to down trees and powerlines. More importantly, NorCal wildfires will become increasingly difficult to contain," KSBW Meteorologist Art Jarrett said.

Relative humidity will range between 10-20 percent during the day, and 30-40 percent at night.

Red Flag Warning for gusty offshore winds and low humidity: Santa Cruz Mountains, Santa Lucia Mountains, mountains of interior Monterey County and San Benito County, North Bay Mountains, East Bay Hills and Diablo Range.