Following the intense drought during the spring and summer, several people in the Bay Area are already prepared to welcome the first rain of the season as soon as Sunday.
This gives hope to fire crews who are anticipating rest in their firefighting duties.
In Novato, pickleball players hit the courts on a sunny Saturday, and even the forecasted rain cannot stop them.
“The rain will not deter these people, they’ll be out playing on wet courts,” Mill Valley resident Ann Jeffrey said.
Rain could fall this week, giving some ease to an intense drought as the dry weather patterns show changes. The dry season has increased the risk of fire as dry grass can be found everywhere. On Monday night, the American Canyon fire burned 132 acres, SKY7 witnessed.
The rain in the forecast is hoped to give a break for CAL FIRE’s crew stationed at the air attack base in Santa Rosa, who keeps tabs on the latest weather updates.
“Everything is looking good, the forecast should give us a reprieve,” Calfire Battalion Chief Nate Glaeser, said. The entry of rain, however, does not end the fire season.
“We still need to be vigilant, and be prepared for after the rain comes through,” he said.
Hoping to save each drop of the downpour, John Hackenburg came to Garrett Ace Hardware in Windsor.
“I’m buying this downspout, it’s going to be used to capture rainwater off a shed roof into a barrel so we can use it for the garden, if it rained for a solid week I’d be happy,” Hackenburg said.
Along with him are other customers who came to the store to prepare for the coming weather, ABC7 reported.
“We put out the rain boots for people and all the rain gear,” Alejandra Diaz, store supervisor, said, adding that they have prepared storm needs in shelves already.
“We’re just trying to get prepared for what customers will need and make sure we have enough for everyone, even if they wait until the last minute,” Diaz said.
