Piedmont Fire Chief Dave Brannigan will present a new countywide approach to guidance for residents during “Extreme Fire Weather” events at the Piedmont City Council’s regular meeting on Monday, Oct. 5. Extreme Fire Weather describes a rare, particularly dangerous subset of Red Flag conditions when wildfire risk is significantly elevated.
Starting in fall 2027, all fire departments in Alameda County are preparing to use shared, more targeted guidance during these events. In some higher-risk areas, residents will be encouraged to leave the area before the extreme weather begins and stay elsewhere until conditions improve.
City Council: Countywide Extreme Fire Weather guidance
Monday, October 5, 6pm | Piedmont City Hall, 120 Vista Avenue
Zoom: piedmont-ca-gov.zoom.us/j/89537973568
Agenda | Staff Report
Community members can attend and speak at the meeting in person or via Zoom. This is an informational item only – no action will be taken.
Extreme Fire Weather is rare – and different from a typical Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warnings cover a wide range of conditions when weather could contribute to rapid wildfire spread. Extreme Fire Weather refers to a much narrower set of conditions when very low humidity and powerful winds combine to create the potential for exceptionally fast-moving, difficult-to-control wildfire.
These conditions are rare, but they have been present during many of California’s most destructive wildfires, including the 1991 Oakland Hills Fire and 2025 Palisades Fire.
During Extreme Fire Weather, the ability for firefighters to control a fire is limited by several conditions, including:
• wind carrying embers far ahead of a fire, starting new fires
• high winds restricting the use of firefighting aircraft
• fire spreading faster than ground crews can keep pace
• evacuation traffic competing with emergency responders for limited road space
Climate change is contributing to hotter, drier conditions and longer dry seasons in California, increasing the frequency of weather events when strong fall winds coincide with extremely dry vegetation.
More targeted guidance during Extreme Fire Weather
Traditionally, wildfire messaging during Red Flag Warnings has broadly focused on reminding residents to review basic preparedness measures, like checking go-bags and confirming they are registered for alerts. Meanwhile, evacuation warnings and orders are issued only when a fire has ignited and threatens the community.
The new regional approach is more nuanced. It recognizes that not every Red Flag Warning presents the same level of risk and that, during Extreme Fire Weather, different guidance may be appropriate for different areas.
For residents in designated “Leave Early” zones – the areas identified by local fire departments as at highest risk – that means being encouraged to stay elsewhere for the duration of the extreme weather rather than waiting to react if a wildfire develops. Any potential “Leave Early” zones in Piedmont have not yet been identified.
In these zones, risk could be reduced substantially if even a portion of residents follow the recommendation to go elsewhere for the duration of Extreme Fire Weather events. Fewer people would need to evacuate during an active fire, leaving roads more clear for firefighters and other emergency responders, while residents would have more time to travel safely and firefighters would be less likely to be diverted from suppression to rescue people who are unable to get out.
One approach across Alameda County
Using a shared approach across the County is important because wildfires do not stop at city boundaries. Piedmont firefighters work alongside neighboring agencies during major emergencies. Common language and guidance will ensure communities across the County receive clear, consistent information. Fire departments will also make operational adjustments during Extreme Fire Weather events to prepare for the increased risk and support a rapid response if a fire occurs.
Over the coming months, the Piedmont Fire Department will continue working with neighboring agencies and regional emergency management partners to determine how the approach would apply locally.
What you can do now
The Fire Department encourages all residents to set aside 30 minutes to complete Piedmont’s at-
home wildfire evacuation exercise. This guided video activity helps you walk through the evacuation process with your household – how you would leave, would you would take, and where you would go.