Just as it did nearly a week ago, the National Weather Service office on Woodley Island has issued a “Red Flag Warning” for much of the region, including parts of Humboldt County. High winds and low humidity are expected to blight higher elevations around the North Coast between tonight and tomorrow night, meaning that the whole area is at high risk of fire.

The NWS last issued such a warning on Sunday — right before the catastrophic fires in counties to our south arose, and ending up consuming thousands of homes.

Says the National Weather Service:

RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM THIS EVENING TO 9 PM PDT SATURDAY FOR GUSTY NORTHEAST WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY… The National Weather Service in Eureka has issued a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect from 11 PM this evening to 9 PM PDT Saturday.

AFFECTED AREA…High elevations of fire weather zones 212…277…and 283…including parts of eastern Humboldt…far eastern Mendocino…northern Lake…and most of Trinity counties. *

WIND…Northeast 15 to 20 mph…with gusts to 30 mph.

HUMIDITY…Falling rapidly in high elevations after 11 PM…reaching 15 to 25 percent by early Saturday morning…and 10 to 15 percent by mid afternoon.

IMPACTS…Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

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 can contribute to extreme fire behavior.

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One small bit of good news from the ongoing crisis in Mendocino, Sonoma, Lake and Napa counties: Evacuation orders have been lifted for the southern half of Redwood Valley, which lies east of Highway 101 between Willits and Ukiah, and was near the birthplace of the Redwood Incident Fire, which has since killed eight people, displaced thousands more and has consumed over 30,000 acres.

From the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office:

The following areas will be allowed to repopulate. EVACUATION ORDERS for these areas are lifted, but will remain under EVACUATION WARNING:

The Redwood Valley community south of the following locations:

1. West Road south of and including Laughlin Way
2.  Laughlin Way south of Bakers Creek
3.  East Road south of Held Road 
4.  Road I to Colony Drive (excluding Madrone Lane)
5.  East of US-101
6.  North of Highway 20
7.  West of Ricetti Lane at the entrance of Black Bart Trail

HARD ROAD CLOSURES will be at the following locations.  Only Fire, Law Enforcement, and Public Utilities may pass:

1.  Laughlin Way at Bakers Creek Road
2.  Laughlin Way at West Road
3.  East Road at Held Road
4.  Madrone Lane at Road I
5.  Colony Drive at Road I
6.  Ricetti Lane at the entrance to Black Bart Trail

Residents returning to these areas should exercise extreme caution.  Fire, Law Enforcement, and utility crews continue to work in the area, and there are many downed trees and other hazards.  As these areas will remain under an EVACUATION WARNING, residents should be prepared to evacuate again on short notice.