Elevated fire weather conditions stretched into Saturday across the Sierra foothills near Folsom and El Dorado Hills, extending beyond the "through Friday" window the National Weather Service had originally forecast.

The NWS Sacramento office said on X on Saturday, Oct. 17, that relative humidity values in the teens to 20s were being observed across the Sierra and foothills, with wind gusts up to 25 mph possible through the day. The agency's graphic showed west wind gusts between 15 and 25 mph, poor overnight humidity recovery and fuels "primed for easier fire starts and spread."

The conditions had been building all week. On Tuesday, Oct. 13, NWS Sacramento posted that elevated fire weather would persist "through Friday" due to low humidity of 13% to 25% and north to east wind gusts of 20 to 40 mph across the valley, foothills and mountains.

By Friday, Oct. 16, the agency upgraded part of the threat. A Red Flag Warning was in effect through 10 a.m. that day for the Sierra and adjacent foothills, according to a separate NWS Sacramento post. Elevated conditions also continued across portions of the Sacramento Valley.

Saturday's post showed the elevated conditions persisting beyond the workweek.

El Dorado Hills truck fire draws multi-agency response

Separately, a moving truck and its contents were destroyed by fire Friday afternoon, Oct. 16, in El Dorado Hills near the intersection of Elmore's Way and Venezia Drive, Folsom Times reported.

El Dorado Hills Fire Department crews assigned to Engine 84, Engine 86 and Battalion 85 found the truck fully engulfed in flames, according to the department. All occupants escaped safely, and no injuries were reported.

The California Highway Patrol and El Dorado County Sheriff's Office assisted with traffic control and scene safety. The cause of the fire was not disclosed.

Fire safety precautions

NWS Sacramento's earlier advisory listed precautions for the elevated fire weather period: keep vehicles off dry grass, properly dispose of cigarettes and matches, and avoid using outdoor equipment that creates sparks.

Residents can monitor conditions at the NWS Sacramento forecast page.