National Weather ServiceCaliforniaRed Flag WarningArchive to October 1, 2026
Red Flag Warnings in California
The National Weather Service issued 49 red flag warnings for California in 2025 and 85 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 6th most of any state. 2026 through September: 50, 23% below the average of 65 for those months in 2008-2025. Modoc County Except for the Surprise Valley was covered most often (280 times since 2008).
How many red flag warnings does California get?
Every red flag warning that covered part of California. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 50 |
| 2025 | 49 |
| 2024 | 84 |
| 2023 | 40 |
| 2022 | 54 |
| 2021 | 117 |
| 2020 | 138 |
| 2019 | 69 |
| 2018 | 105 |
| 2017 | 128 |
| 2016 | 89 |
| 2015 | 63 |
| 2014 | 116 |
| 2013 | 84 |
| 2012 | 108 |
| 2011 | 60 |
| 2010 | 45 |
| 2009 | 60 |
| 2008 | 115 |
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 | 280 | 45 | September 24, 2026 |
| Siskiyou County from the Cascade Mountains East and South to Mt Shasta | 163 | 27 | August 31, 2026 |
| Western Klamath National Forest | 147 | 30 | August 31, 2026 |
| Eastern Lassen County | 138 | 25 | September 12, 2026 |
| Central Siskiyou County (including Shasta Valley) | 136 | 26 | August 31, 2026 |
| Los Angeles County Mountains / Angeles National Forest | 113 | 0 | November 24, 2021 |
| Surprise Valley California | 111 | 21 | September 12, 2026 |
| Northern Sacramento Valley to Southern Tehama County Line Below 1000 Ft | 110 | 11 | September 26, 2025 |
| Santa Clarita Valley | 106 | 14 | August 20, 2025 |
| Lower Colorado River Valley | 104 | 3 | June 26, 2026 |
| Ventura County Mountains / Los Padres National Forest | 102 | 0 | November 24, 2021 |
| Central Sacramento Valley including Glenn/Colusa/Yuba/Northern Sutter/Butte County Below 1000 Ft | 99 | 11 | June 21, 2025 |
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.
The latest red flag warnings for California in AreaZine's record
NWS RenoWarningSeptember 24, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Northern Sierra Front - Carson City/Douglas/Storey/Southern Washoe/Eastern Lyon/Far Southern Lassen Counties and Southern Sierra Front - Alpine/Northern Mono/Southern Lyon/Western Mi
Expired 10:00 p.m. PDT, September 25, 2026
NWS MedfordWarningSeptember 23, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Modoc County Except for the Surprise Valley, CA
Expired 8:00 p.m. PDT, September 24, 2026
NWS EurekaWarningSeptember 12, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Northern Lake Including Gravelly Valley, Eastern Lake Including Clearlake and Middletown, Southern Lake Including Cobb and Konocti and 1 more, CA
Expired 2:00 a.m. PDT, September 13, 2026
NWS RenoWarningSeptember 11, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Surprise Valley California, Eastern Lassen County and Northern Washoe County, CA and NV
Expired 2:00 a.m. PDT, September 13, 2026
NWS SacramentoWarningSeptember 11, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Glenn and Colusa County Coast Range Above 3000 ft and Western Glenn and Colusa County Foothills Between 1000-3000 ft, CA
Expired 11:00 a.m. PDT, September 14, 2026
NWS RenoWarningSeptember 6, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Southern Mono County, Southern Sierra Front - Alpine/Northern Mono/Southern Lyon/Western Mineral Counties and Lahontan Basin - Churchill and Eastern Mineral Counties, CA and NV
Expired 8:00 p.m. PDT, September 6, 2026
NWS RenoWarningAugust 31, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Northern Sierra Front - Carson City/Douglas/Storey/Southern Washoe/Eastern Lyon/Far Southern Lassen Counties, CA and NV
Expired 11:00 p.m. PDT, September 1, 2026
NWS MedfordWarningAugust 30, 2026
Red Flag Warning: Western Klamath National Forest, Central Siskiyou County Including Shasta Valley, Siskiyou County from the Cascade Mountains East and South to Mt Shasta and 2 more, CA and OR
Expired 8:00 p.m. PDT, August 31, 2026
This list is AreaZine's record of the NWS alert feed, kept since April 6, 2026; the counts above come from the complete IEM archive.
Source: National Weather Service alerts (api.weather.gov).
What is a red flag warning?
A red flag warning means critical fire weather is happening or about to happen: strong wind, very low humidity and dry fuels together, so a fire that starts can spread fast. Each office sets the criteria with its land-management partners. A warning means the hazard is happening, about to happen, or very likely: act now to protect people and property. The national record · Every warning type in California.