Santa Ana Fire Weather and Wild River Fire Crews Go on Offense

Today's news spans both coasts: hot, gusty fire weather is headed for Southern California, and firefighters in New Hampshire are pressing back against a drought-fed forest fire. Closer to the ground, three communities are working on wildfire prevention and recovery.

Santa Ana winds raise fire danger in Southern California

Offshore Santa Ana winds are expected to strengthen Friday and Saturday, with gusts of 25 to 40 mph across much of the region and possibly 35 to 50 mph in mountain and canyon areas of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, according to the National Weather Service, as the New York Post reports. Temperatures may reach the 80s and low 90s in some communities.

Forecasters warn the mix of dry air, heat and wind brings elevated wildfire danger, especially Friday and Saturday in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Recent rain has helped, but live fuel moisture levels remain between 65% and 80%. Winds are expected to ease Sunday, with cooler weather from Monday and possible widespread rain November 13–17. On windy fire-weather days, it helps to know your local alert channels.

Wild River Fire crews shift to the offensive

Firefighters in New Hampshire's White Mountain National Forest are moving from defense to offense against the Wild River Fire, the Portland Press Herald reports. With better mapping, the U.S. Forest Service lowered its estimate of the fire's size to 856 acres on Thursday, after earlier putting it at nearly 1,000 acres.

The fire is burning mostly leaf litter and dead fall in Coos County, about 7 miles southeast of Gorham, with its eastern edge roughly half a mile from the Maine state line. Staffing grew from 40 people on Monday to nearly 90 by Wednesday night, with helicopters and drones assisting. The Forest Service believes the fire was likely human-caused, and the cause is still under investigation.

Sonoma Valley begins a wildfire buffer above the Springs

Crews are clearing dense brush, overgrown grass and dead limbs in the foothills above the Sonoma Valley as the first phase of a nearly 1,200-acre wildfire prevention project, the Santa Rosa Press Democrat reports. The Sonoma Springs Fire Resilience Area, run by the Sonoma Ecology Center and Sonoma Valley Fire District, aims to create a buffer between the mountains and communities where about 33,000 people live.

Funding is in place only for the first 55-acre phase, and organizers are seeking more grants. The goal is to remove brush and dead vegetation while keeping healthy trees, which organizers hope will slow future fires and give firefighters more room to work.

Larimer County wildfire mitigation tax is too close to call

A proposed 0.3% sales tax in Larimer County, Colorado, that would fund wildfire mitigation, roads, public safety and more was leading by only 106 votes, the Fort Collins Coloradoan reports. Results released November 5 showed 50.03% in favor and 49.97% opposed, with around 3,500 ballots still to be counted and an automatic recount possible.

Art sale supports Spokane Complex fire recovery

Four abstract paintings by Spokane artist Kathleen Gemberling Adkison are being sold Friday at the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture to support families affected by the Spokane Complex fires, the Spokesman-Review reports. Two have already sold, and the museum hopes to raise $18,500 for Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners' wildfire relief fund, which helps with home repairs, resource referrals and small businesses.

Sources

Santa Ana winds, fire danger and coastal flooding set for SoCal — New York Post
Wildfire response enters new phase in White Mountain National Forest — Portland Press Herald
Sonoma Valley launches wildfire prevention effort to protect Springs communities — Santa Rosa Press Democrat
Larimer County 1A's proposed sales tax is too close to call — Fort Collins Coloradoan
Works of art from notable Spokane artist set to support Spokane Complex fire victims — Spokane Spokesman-Review

Canairy aggregates publicly reported air-quality and wildfire news and summarizes it in plain English, with links to the original sources. This is educational information, not medical or emergency advice. In a wildfire or air-quality emergency, follow guidance from local authorities.