Red Flag Warning

This doesn't affect Chico directly, but it does for the nearby communities east of Chico, including Paradise and Magalia. From the National Weather Service: THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SACRAMENTO HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG WARNING FOR THUNDERSTORMS...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM SATURDAY TO 5 PM PDT SUNDAY. * AFFECTED AREA...FIRE WEATHER ZONE 213 EASTERN PORTION OF SHASTA/TRINITY NF...FIRE WEATHER ZONE 214 BURNEY BASIN AND NORTHEAST PLATEAU IN SHASTA COUNTY INCLUDING NORTHWEST LASSEN NF NORTH OF LASSEN NP AND FIRE WEATHER ZONE 266 NORTHERN SIERRA FOOTHILLS FROM 1000 TO 3000 FT. INCLUDES PORTIONS OF SHASTA- TRINITY AND BUTTE UNITS. * THUNDERSTORMS...SCATTERED HIGH BASED STORMS WITH LIMITED PRECIPITATION OUTSIDE OF THE HEAVIER RAIN CORES. * OUTFLOW WINDS...WINDS LOCALLY GUSTING TO 25 TO 35 MPH WITH 50 MPH DOWNDRAFTS POSSIBLE IN VICINITY OF ANY THUNDERSTORMS. * IMPACTS...LIGHTNING STRIKES WITH DRY FUELS AND LITTLE RAIN RAISE THE POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT FIRE DANGER. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EITHER OCCURRING NOW...OR WILL SHORTLY. A COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS...LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...AND WARM TEMPERATURES WILL CREATE EXPLOSIVE FIRE GROWTH POTENTIAL. The Chips fire northeast of Chico has been burning for the past five days in the Feather River canyon. Smoke from that fire has diminished visibility down to the valley floor. Please be careful and do not do ANY burning outdoors. Be especially careful of flicking lighted cigarette butts out of the car window. Be fire safe!