Northern California heat wave July 3 forecast and fire updates

Northern California forecast and heat wave: What to know about fire danger, outages, how to stay cool

Updated: 11:29 PM PDT Jul 3, 2024

STARTING WITH A LIVE LOOK ACROSS THE AREA. SACRAMENTO STOCKTON AND FAIRFIELD. WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A HEAT WAVE AND FIREFIGHTERS ARE BATTLING FLAMES IN SEVERAL PARTS OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. AND WITH THE 4TH OF JULY HOLIDAY JUST HOURS AWAY, THERE IS NOW ADDED CONCERN THAT FIREWORKS COULD START ANOTHER FIRE. THANKS FOR BEING WITH US AT TEN. I’M TY STEELE AND I’M EDIE LAMBERT. STARTING WITH THAT INTENSE HEAT ACROSS OUR REGION. LET’S GO RIGHT TO OUR METEOROLOGIST HEATHER WALDMAN. YEAH, TODAY OFFICIALLY MARKED DAY FOUR OF OUR HEAT WAVE. AT LEAST IF YOU GO BY THE NUMBERS AT DOWNTOWN SACRAMENTO. HERE THEY ARE. WE HIT 100 DEGREES ON SUNDAY. 103 ON MONDAY, 106 YESTERDAY AND TODAY. THE OFFICIAL HIGH COMING IN AT 107 DEGREES TOMORROW WE’LL TAKE SOME OF THE EDGE OFF. BUT IT’S GOING TO COME RIGHT BACK AS WE GO INTO THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND. AND OF COURSE, WITH THE HOT AFTERNOONS COME SOME VERY WARM EVENINGS. IT’S STILL 89 DEGREES IN STOCKTON, 91 IN MODESTO. WE’VE COOLED DOWN SOMEWHAT IN FAIRFIELD AT 81 DEGREES, WE’RE STILL AT 85 AT EXECUTIVE AIRPORT OF COURSE, UP IN THE HIGH SIERRA TEMPERATURES DROP VERY EASILY OUT THERE. WE’RE IN THE 60S. HERE’S HOW INDEPENDENCE DAY LOOKS FOR SACRAMENTO. YOU CAN USE THIS AS A PROXY FOR A LOT OF OTHER SPOTS IN THE VALLEY AS WELL. SHOULD BE IN THE MID 90S, AS EARLY AS 11 A.M. WE’RE GOING TO SPEND THE ENTIRE AFTERNOON AND MOST OF THE EVENING IN THE TRIPLE DIGITS. WE’LL BE BACK DOWN TO 90 DEGREES WHEN SOME ARE GETTING READY FOR THE FIREWORKS. WE’LL LOOK AHEAD TO THE FULL FORECAST IN JUST A BIT. AND HEATHER, WE KNOW THIS. HE CAN BE DANGEROUS. A MAN DIED BECAUSE OF THE HEAT IN SAN JOSE, AND THE MAYOR SAYS THAT HOMELESS MAN DIED YESTERDAY AND HE SHARED ON ACTS, QUOTE, THIS WAS AN AVOIDABLE TRAGEDY AND EXACTLY WHY WE’RE MOVING WITH URGENCY TO CREATE ENOUGH BASIC, DIGNIFIED SHELTER FOR EVERYONE. IT’S NOT COMPASSIONATE TO LEAVE PEOPLE SUFFERING AND UNMANAGED, UNSHELTERED AND UNSAFE CONDITIONS. A RECENT REPORT SHOWS THAT SAN JOSE HAS THE FOURTH HIGHEST NUMBER OF HOMELESS PEOPLE PER CAPITA IN THE ENTIRE U.S. IN A TWEET, HE TOLD RESIDENTS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE COOLING COOLING CENTERS AVAILABLE IN THE CITY, A REMINDER THERE ARE SEVERAL COOLING CENTERS IN THIS AREA. THE CITY OF SACRAMENTO IS EXTENDING OPERATIONS AT TWO OF THEIR SHELTERS. THOSE ARE THE OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT CENTER AND THE SAM AND BONNIE PINNELL COMMUNITY CENTER. AND THOSE WILL BE OPEN INTO NEXT WEEK IN SACRAMENTO. THE AIR CONDITIONED LIBRARIES AND COMMUNITY CENTERS ARE ALSO OPEN DURING THEIR NORMAL HOURS, AND LEADERS ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SPLASH PARK. THE FULL LIST OF COOLING CENTERS ON OUR WEBSITE NOW. ONE SACRAMENTO COOLING CENTER IS ASKING FOR DONATIONS TO GET THROUGH THIS HEAT WAVE. FIRST STEP COMMUNITIES ON NORTH A STREET NEEDS WATER, ELECTROLYTE POWDERS, COOLING TOWELS, FANS AND WATER BOWLS FOR PETS. NOW TO OUR WILDFIRE COVERAGE. CREWS ARE MAKING PROGRESS AS THEY’RE FIGHTING A LARGE FIRE IN BUTTE COUNTY. THE THOMPSON FIRE HAS BURNED NEARLY 3600 ACRES, FOUR STRUCTURES HAVE BURNED TODAY, OFFICIALS BEGAN REDUCING SOME OF THOSE EVACUATION ORDERS DOWN TO WARNING’S, ALLOWING SOME RESIDENTS TO GO BACK HOME. THE FIRE IS BURNING NEAR THE OROVILLE DAM, BUT THE DAM ITSELF HAS NOT BEEN AFFECTED BY THE FIRE. HELICOPTERS ARE BUSY DROPPING WATER. 12,000 OTHER BUILDINGS ARE STILL THREATENED. GOVERNOR NEWSOM DECLARED A STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR THE FIRE THIS MORNING, AND WE’RE ALSO LEARNING MORE. ABOUT EIGHT FIREFIGHTERS INJURED DURING THE THOMPSON FIRE. CAL FIRE SAYS THREE WERE HURT DURING A ROLLOVER CRASH ON THEIR WAY TO THE FIRE. FOUR HAD HEAT RELATED INJURIES AND ANOTHER WAS HURT ON THE FIRE LINES TODAY. AND AS CREWS CONTINUE TO BATTLE THE THOMPSON FIRE, A SECOND FIRE SOUTH OF OROVILLE BRIEFLY FORCED EVACUATIONS. THIS AFTERNOON. THIS NEW FIRE IS EAST OF THE COMMUNITY OF PALERMO, AND IT’S BURNING ALONGSIDE GRUBBS ROAD, A NUMBER OF ZONES WERE UNDER EVACUATION ORDERS OR WARNINGS, BUT AT 630 TONIGHT, ALL ORDERS AND WARNINGS WERE LIFTED AND FIRE RESOURCES ARE STRETCHED THIN, NEEDLESS TO SAY. AND TODAY, OROVILLE CITY LEADERS ARE CANCELING THE CITY’S 4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS DISPLAY AND BANNING ALL FIREWORKS WITHIN CITY LIMITS. THE DISPLAY HAD BEEN SCHEDULED FOR TOMORROW NIGHT AT THE FOREBAY AQUATIC CENTER. THE EMERGENCY ORDER BANNING FIREWORKS INCLUDES THE SAFE AND SANE ONES. ALSO, ALL FIREWORKS VENDORS SHOULD STOP SELLING IN SACRAMENTO TONIGHT. CREWS MANAGED TO STOP A FAST MOVING FIRE NEAR GRANITE REGIONAL PARK. KCRA THREE WAS THERE AS FIREFIGHTERS ATTACKED THE FLAMES FROM THE AIR AND FROM THE GROUND. YOU CAN SEE ONE OF THOSE WATER DROPS. THIS FIRE STARTED AFTER 615 TONIGHT AND QUICKLY GREW TO THREE ACRES. CREWS SAY THE FUEL, THE FIRE THAT IS WAS PARTIALLY FUELED BY TRASH AND OTHER DEBRIS IN THAT AREA, AND THAT CAUSED A LARGE PLUME OF BLACK SMOKE THAT COULD BE SEEN FOR MILES. NO STRUCTURES WERE THREATENED BY THESE FLAMES. AND TONIGHT, ACCIDENTAL EQUIPMENT FAILURE IS BLAMED FOR SPARKING A GRASS FIRE IN ELK GROVE THAT STARTED JUST AFTER THREE THIS AFTERNOON NEAR CALVIN AND BADER ROADS. THIS IS ABOUT A COUPLE MILES EAST OF SHELDON HIGH SCHOOL. THIS FIRE SPREAD TO STRUCTURES AND VEHICLES ON THE PROPERTY. COSUMNES FIRE TELLS US A HOME AND ANOTHER BUILDING WERE DESTROYED AND OUR CREW CAPTURED. VIDEO OF WHAT LOOKS LIKE A TRAILER THERE. THAT WAS ON FIRE. AND YOU CAN SEE THAT THICK BLACK SMOKE IT PUT UP TONIGHT. FIRE CREWS ARE URGING EVERYONE TO BE CAREFUL DURING THIS HEAT WAVE. MINIMIZE THE KINDS OF ACTIVITIES THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE, THAT COULD CAUSE A SPARK. UM, AVOID THINGS LIKE LAWN MOWING, THINGS THAT CREATE SPARKS, THE USE OF HEAVY MACHINERY OR EQUIPMENT, THE USE OF FIRES LIKE WELDING. ANYTHING ELSE THAT INITIATES FIRE IS GOING TO SPREAD VERY QUICKLY IN THESE KINDS OF TEMPERATURES. I’LL GIVE YOU THAT ONE. CREWS WERE ABLE TO LIMIT THE FIRE TO ABOUT SIX ACRES. THEY SPENT SEVERAL HOURS AT THE SCENE MAKING SURE THAT IT WAS COMPLETELY OUT. THE STATE’S TOP COP SAYS TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR PEOPLE TRYING TO MAKE MONEY OFF THESE WILDFIRES. ATTORNEY GENERAL ROB BONTA ISSUING A REMINDER TODAY, HE SAYS PRICE GOUGING DURING A STATE OF EMERGENCY LIKE THE ONE GOING ON IN BUTTE COUNTY RIGHT NOW IS ILLEGAL. THAT MEANS PRICES ON ITEMS LIKE GAS, FOOD AND LODGING CANNOT BE RAISED MORE THAN 10% OVER WHAT IT WAS BEFORE THE DECLARATION WAS ISSUED. ANYONE WHO THINKS THEY MIGHT BE A VICTIM OF THIS SHOULD CALL LAW ENFORCEMENT. AND GOVERNOR NEWSOM IS SHOWING OFF SOME OF THE ADVANCEMENTS IN CALIFORNIA FIREFIGHTING TECHNOLOGY. THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE RELEASED THIS VIDEO OF NEWSOM MEETING WITH FIRE OFFICIALS AT SACRAMENTO MCCLELLAN AIRPORT EARLIER THIS WEEK. DURING THIS VISIT, NEWSOM HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT SOME OF THE 20 NEW AIRCRAFT BEING USED BY THE STATE, INCLUDING FIVE NIGHT FLYING HELICOPTERS. THE GOVERNOR ALSO SHOWING OFF NEW TECH LIKE A NEW SYSTEM TO MAP FIRES IN REAL TIME. NEWSOM ALSO HIGHLIGHTED THE BUDGET, WHICH INCLUDES MORE THAN $2.5 BILLION IN SPENDING OVER SEVEN YEARS FOR CLIMAT

Northern California forecast and heat wave: What to know about fire danger, outages, how to stay cool

Updated: 11:29 PM PDT Jul 3, 2024

Meteorologist/Climate Reporter

As several wildfires continue to burn in Northern California, the chances for more wildfires starting remain high on Wednesday as a heat wave continues. KCRA 3 called Wednesday an Alert Day because of both the dangerous heat that could lead to health issues and the high fire risk. Alert Days will continue through Sunday.Here is what to know about the day’s developments. Pacific Gas & Electric Co. expects to restore power to Northern California customers by Wednesday after initiating public safety shutoffs. PG&E said as of 8 a.m. Wednesday that about 2,200 customers are still without power, not including customers de-energized for firefighter safety in the Thompson Fire in Butte County.As of Wednesday afternoon, several fires continue to burn across the region.Evacuations remain near Oroville in Butte County for the Thompson Fire and south of Placerville for the Moccasin Fire burning in El Dorado County. Progress appears to have been made against the Moccasin Fire, as the number of acres burned has not changed since Tuesday. Some evacuation orders for the Thompson Fire were reduced to warnings. More Thompson Fire impacts: Oroville’s Fourth of July celebration with fireworks has been canceled and the city banned safe-and-sane fireworks. KCRA 3 saw at least one home that survived while others burned because of a unique system that watered its roof. Butte County native Aaron Rodgers teamed up with the North Valley Community Foundation to donate $100,000 to fire evacuees. New fires on Wednesday include one near Antelope in Placer County that led to an evacuation warning and the Calvine Fire burning in Elk Grove. Later, the Grubbs Fire in Palermo and the Adams Fire in Lake County both prompted evacuation orders. Meteorologist Tamara Berg said air quality could be a concern depending on how close you are to wildfires. You can check the air quality here. Some cooling centers across the region have extended their hours through Tuesday.What’s the weather outlook?Temperatures in downtown Sacramento reached 106 degrees on Tuesday. On Wednesday, that temperature is likely to reach 110 degrees. The record high for this time of year is 111, while the average for this time of year is 93 degrees. Meteorologist Heather Waldman said the north wind is backing off quickly Wednesday afternoon and there will be a subtle breeze in the evening to make Sacramento less uncomfortable. Fourth of July forecastThe Fourth of July holiday will heat up fast. Expect 90 degrees by 10 a.m. Afternoon highs will range between 104 and 109 degrees. Temps will be around 90 degrees as fireworks start in the Valley. Friday and Saturday will be slightly hotter, around 110-112 on Saturday. Next week will stay hot but it will be less intense. The region is looking at highs in the 101-104 range starting Monday. KCRA 3’s weather team is calling for Alert Days through Sunday and Impact Days on Monday and Tuesday. Read more from Tamara Berg about why this heat wave is happening Read more as Heather Waldman looks back at Northern California’s longest heat wave.What to know about the red flag warning. The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning that will be in effect through 8 p.m. on Wednesday. The agency issues those warnings when conditions make it likely for a wildfire to burn and spread.Read more about why north winds are dangerous during wildfire seasons here See our Fire Threat Index below. | MORE | A 2024 guide for how to prepare for wildfires in CaliforniaHere are more resources for the heat waveFind a list of cooling centers here.Here is where to find public pools to cool off.Want to visit a water park? Here’s a list of locations.Here’s how to know the differences between sunburns, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heatstroke.How to keep your pets safe amid hot summer temperaturesHere are key websites that are important for all Californians during wildfire season. Cal Fire wildfire incidents: Cal Fire tracks its wildfire incidents here. You can sign up to receive text messages for Cal Fire updates on wildfires happening near your ZIP code here. Wildfires on federal land: Federal wildfire incidents are tracked here.Preparing for power outages: Ready.gov explains how to prepare for a power outage and what to do when returning from one here. Here is how to track and report PG&E power outages.Keeping informed when you’ve lost power and cellphone service: How to find a National Weather Service radio station near you.Be prepared for road closures: Download Caltrans’ QuickMap app or check the latest QuickMap road conditions here.REAL-TIME TRAFFIC MAPClick here to see our interactive traffic map.TRACK INTERACTIVE, DOPPLER RADARClick here to see our interactive radar.DOWNLOAD OUR APP FOR THE LATESTHere is where you can download our app.Follow our KCRA weather team on social mediaMeteorologist Tamara Berg on Facebook and X.Meteorologist Dirk Verdoorn on FacebookMeteorologist/Climate Reporter Heather Waldman on Facebook and X.Meteorologist Kelly Curran on X.Watch our forecasts on TV or onlineHere’s where to find our latest video forecast. You can also watch a livestream of our latest newscast here. The banner on our website turns red when we’re live.We’re also streaming on the Very Local app for Roku, Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV.

As several wildfires continue to burn in Northern California, the chances for more wildfires starting remain high on Wednesday as a heat wave continues.

KCRA 3 called Wednesday an Alert Day because of both the dangerous heat that could lead to health issues and the high fire risk. Alert Days will continue through Sunday.

Here is what to know about the day’s developments.

As of Wednesday afternoon, several fires continue to burn across the region.

What’s the weather outlook?

Temperatures in downtown Sacramento reached 106 degrees on Tuesday. On Wednesday, that temperature is likely to reach 110 degrees. The record high for this time of year is 111, while the average for this time of year is 93 degrees.

Meteorologist Heather Waldman said the north wind is backing off quickly Wednesday afternoon and there will be a subtle breeze in the evening to make Sacramento less uncomfortable.

Fourth of July forecast

The Fourth of July holiday will heat up fast. Expect 90 degrees by 10 a.m. Afternoon highs will range between 104 and 109 degrees. Temps will be around 90 degrees as fireworks start in the Valley.

Friday and Saturday will be slightly hotter, around 110-112 on Saturday.

Next week will stay hot but it will be less intense. The region is looking at highs in the 101-104 range starting Monday.

KCRA 3’s weather team is calling for Alert Days through Sunday and Impact Days on Monday and Tuesday.

What to know about the red flag warning.

The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning that will be in effect through 8 p.m. on Wednesday. The agency issues those warnings when conditions make it likely for a wildfire to burn and spread.

See our Fire Threat Index below.

| MORE | A 2024 guide for how to prepare for wildfires in California

Here are more resources for the heat wave

Here are key websites that are important for all Californians during wildfire season.

REAL-TIME TRAFFIC MAP

Click here to see our interactive traffic map.

TRACK INTERACTIVE, DOPPLER RADAR

Click here to see our interactive radar.

DOWNLOAD OUR APP FOR THE LATEST

Here is where you can download our app.

Follow our KCRA weather team on social media

• Meteorologist Tamara Berg on Facebook and X.
• Meteorologist Dirk Verdoorn on Facebook
• Meteorologist/Climate Reporter Heather Waldman on Facebook and X.
• Meteorologist Kelly Curran on X.

Watch our forecasts on TV or online

Here’s where to find our latest video forecast. You can also watch a livestream of our latest newscast here. The banner on our website turns red when we’re live.

We’re also streaming on the Very Local app for Roku, Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV.