National Weather ServiceCaliforniaFire Weather WatchArchive to October 1, 2026
Fire Weather Watches in California
The National Weather Service issued 36 fire weather watches for California in 2025 and 62 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 6th most of any state. 2026 through September: 30, 36% below the average of 47 for those months in 2008-2025. Modoc County Except for the Surprise Valley was covered most often (217 times since 2008).
How many fire weather watches does California get?
Every fire weather watch that covered part of California. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 30 |
| 2025 | 36 |
| 2024 | 55 |
| 2023 | 25 |
| 2022 | 39 |
| 2021 | 91 |
| 2020 | 114 |
| 2019 | 47 |
| 2018 | 87 |
| 2017 | 93 |
| 2016 | 64 |
| 2015 | 37 |
| 2014 | 79 |
| 2013 | 61 |
| 2012 | 73 |
| 2011 | 51 |
| 2010 | 36 |
| 2009 | 45 |
| 2008 | 85 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does California get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in California?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modoc County Except for the Surprise Valley | 217 | 31 | August 31, 2026 |
| Siskiyou County from the Cascade Mountains East and South to Mt Shasta | 123 | 19 | August 31, 2026 |
| Western Klamath National Forest | 120 | 18 | August 31, 2026 |
| Eastern Lassen County | 119 | 19 | September 12, 2026 |
| Surprise Valley California | 102 | 16 | September 12, 2026 |
| Central Siskiyou County (including Shasta Valley) | 99 | 16 | August 31, 2026 |
| Santa Clarita Valley | 96 | 15 | August 20, 2025 |
| Los Angeles County Mountains / Angeles National Forest | 95 | 0 | November 24, 2021 |
| Ventura County Mountains / Los Padres National Forest | 88 | 0 | November 24, 2021 |
| Northern Sacramento Valley to Southern Tehama County Line Below 1000 Ft | 77 | 8 | June 21, 2025 |
| Central Sacramento Valley including Glenn/Colusa/Yuba/Northern Sutter/Butte County Below 1000 Ft | 73 | 8 | June 21, 2025 |
| Los Angeles County San Fernando Valley | 73 | 0 | November 24, 2022 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
What is a fire weather watch?
A fire weather watch means critical fire weather conditions are possible in the coming days; it often comes before a red flag warning. A watch means the conditions for the hazard are possible or favourable, but it is not yet happening: be ready to act if a warning follows. The national record · Every warning type in California.