Rain from tropical storm Kay slows spread of Southern California fires

Precipitation, vicinity of Fairview Fire,
Precipitation, vicinity of Fairview Fire, 24 hours ending 5 a.m. Sept. 10, 2022

Rain that began falling at about 1 p.m. Friday slowed the spread of the Fairview and Radford Fires in Southern California. By 5 a.m. Saturday weather stations near the fires had recorded amounts ranging from 0.05″ to 0.28″.  Much higher amounts were found at a few locations in the mountains east of the Fairview Fire.

The precipitation is expected to continue into Sunday morning.

Precipitation, vicinity of Radford Fire,
Precipitation, vicinity of Radford Fire, 24 hours ending 5 a.m. Sept. 10, 2022
Fairview Fire map Sept. 10, 2022
Fairview Fire map Sept. 10, 2022

There was a concern that very strong winds generated by tropical storm Kay would cause problems at the fires, but those did not materialize, at least not by 5 a.m. Saturday.

Precipitation, Southern California, 24 hours ending 5 a.m. Sept. 10, 2022
Precipitation, Southern California, 24 hours ending 5 a.m. Sept. 10, 2022

As of 5 a.m. the rain had occurred as far north as Santa Barbara and Edwards Air Force Base. It did not affect the rapidly growing Mosquito Fire 27 miles west of Lake Tahoe, CA.

Meanwhile, Red Flag Warnings are in effect Saturday for the northwest corner of California and the west sides of Washington and Oregon.

Red Flag Warnings September 10, 2022
Red Flag Warnings September 10, 2022

The forecast for vertically integrated wildfire smoke predicts impacts in most of the Western States Saturday afternoon.

Forecast for smoke
Forecast for smoke at 1 p.m. MDT Sept. 10, 2022. NOAA

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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.