Flash flood watches in effect near recent wildfires in California

9:40 a.m. PDT Oct. 23, 2021

Flash flood watches and 2021 fires
Flash flood watches (green shaded areas), 8:37 a.m. PDT Oct. 23, 2021. The purple lines indicate the perimeters of fires in 2021.

The National Weather Service has issued numerous flash flood watches for areas near many of the recent California wildfires. Heavy rain could bring ash and debris flows to locations below recently burned areas. At 8:37 a.m. on Saturday the NWS had not listed any major flash flood warnings in Oregon or Washington.

The atmospheric river combined with a bomb cyclone are bringing massive amounts of precipitation to areas of Northern California, Oregon, and Washington.

Precipitation accumulated California
Precipitation accumulated during the 48-hour period ending at 8:56 a.m. PDT Oct. 23, 2021. The purple lines indicate the perimeters of fires in 2021.

Precipitation accumulated over the 48-hour period ending at 8:56 a.m. PDT Oct. 23 showed approximately 1 to 2 inches near the Dixie Fire, one-half to 1 inch near the Caldor Fire, and 1 to 3 inches in northwestern California near the McCash, Monument, and River Fires. About 1 to 2 inches were recorded near the fires of 2020 in the Napa and Santa Rosa area, and up to 3 inches at the Doe and Hopkins Fires of 2020.

And more is on the way.

Predicted 72-hour cumulative precipitation and 2021 fires
Predicted 72-hour cumulative precipitation. The purple lines indicate the perimeters of fires in 2021.

The video below is an October 22 briefing from the National Weather Service about the storm system that is bringing heavy rain and mountain snow, along with the potential for urban flooding and ash and debris flows to recently burned areas.

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Author: Bill Gabbert

After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire.

3 thoughts on “Flash flood watches in effect near recent wildfires in California”

  1. You hit the nail on the head. I’m in NW Bakersfield, drought city. Never seen anything like it. Drenching rains, approx. 60 mph winds and tornado warnings. Scary

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  2. These are consequences that never seem to be weighed into the decision process of using either the “big box” approach nor the so-called “managed wildfire” approach. They are in fact a cost of the fire but are not treated as such. Just ask a homeowner living in the disaster area left behind.

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    1. Do not under estimate this up and coming weather event. Nothing is normal in weather patterns.
      Mathematical models show extremely severe movement of air. Caution Warning Danger!!
      Stay safe….????’s……….Iceman…..2024

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