MADERA COUNTY MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES – Sept. 19, 2020 – After strong wind activity last night the weather influences will be calm the next several days with traditional terrain driven winds. Upslope winds could be gusty in the canyons depending on smoke with gusts up to 15 mph and maxing out at 20 mph on the ridges from the southwest.
Overall, weather will be within range of season averages, 80s to near 90 in the lower elevations and 65-75 in the higher elevations and relative humidity near 15-25% during the day.
Fire activity will increase with warming and drying weather in the coming days, but will be moderate. Fire activity in the Whisky Falls, Browns Meadow, Upper Chiquito, Green Mountain and Sheep Crossing areas will be low overnight with Whisky Falls and Browns
Meadow having the most fire activity.
Containment is the priority, which is currently at 22% as heavy equipment and hand crews continue to improve and build lines around the fire perimeter. Operational priorities are tactical patrol and structure protection within the communities where there is still a threat. While containment is increasing, significant challenges remain completing the line around the fire due to steep terrain where bulldozers may not be able to access requiring hand crews to complete.
