The red flag warning was scheduled to expire at 8 a.m. today but has been extended because low relative humidity and wind gusts up to 25 mph will create hazardous fire conditions, NWS forecaster Mark Strobin said.
Winds have slowed since the fire warning was issued Tuesday night, but humidity has remained so low that today's 10-15 mph winds with 25 mph gusts will be enough to create dangerous conditions in the hills, Strobin said.
Thousands of acres have burned throughout the Bay Area since the warning was issued, but the weather is expected to be more helpful than harmful after the weekend, forecasters said.
Humidity is expected to increase late this afternoon and tonight, with moister weather through the weekend, according to Strobin.
>> View Google map of this area
Send us your fire photos
If you have pictures of the Santa Cruz fire or of any other fire burning in the Bay Area, we want to hear from you. Send them to photos@kgo-tv.com and we'll feature them on-air and online.
MORE: ABC7's Bay Area wildfire resource guide and safety tips
