Heat and unhealthy air; Bay Area residents urged to conserve power

OAKLAND, Calif. - The forecast for Thursday includes heat and unhealthy air quality advisories, and Bay Area residents are urged to stay indoors and conserve power while the conditions last. 

The National Weather Service predicts that near record-setting temperatures could be set, with the mercury rising past 100 in Santa Rosa, where the Glass Fire has already scorched 80 square miles and is just 2% contained. Fire crews are bracing for these poor weather conditions as they try to beat back the flames.

The National Weather Service on Thursday issued an extended Red Flag warning, which is now in effect from 1 p.m. Thursday to 6 a.m. Saturday due to high winds and dry conditions.  The greatest threat, meteorologists say, will be in elevations above 1,000 feet across the region, particularly in the East Bay hills. 

The hot weather and expected increase in air conditioning use comes as the California Independent System Operator has issued a statewide Flex Alert, calling for voluntary electricity conservation from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday.

PG&E does not project a need for a Public Safety Power Shutoff due to this weather, but the utility said conditions will be continuously monitored.

In addition to hot weather, the National Weather Service says its simulations indicate "a lot of smoke from the August and North Complex fires will be coming towards the Bay Area and joining with the Glass Fire smoke."

Spare the Air alerts have already been issued through Friday due to smoke from wildfires.