California wildfires remain major threat despite new rainfall year

The first hints of rain in the Bay Area are very much welcome after a five-month dry spell, especially by firefighters at the front lines of Northern California’s wildfires.

The new rainfall year, which started Monday, coincides with historically one of the worst months for wildfires. While forecasts still vary on exactly how much precipitation the region is supposed to get this week, word of rain is being well-received.

“It’ll certainly help the wildfires that are still smoldering in the region,” said Steve Anderson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. “But by no means will it end the fire season.”

Storms bring increased humidity levels to slow already-burning blazes, as well as hydration for dry brush.

The National Weather Service estimates that parts of San Francisco, the East Bay and the South Bay will receive between 0.25 and 0.50 inches of rain Tuesday. Showers may dump up to an inch of rain in the North Bay, with a chance of thunderstorms before 11 a.m.

However, the predicted amount of rain isn’t enough to eliminate concerns about dry brush, which will dry out quickly with light breezes and the impending weekend warm-up, said Scott McLean, a Cal Fire spokesman.

Firefighters still working on the Delta Fire near Redding could also face new challenges due to the rain.

“You’re driving on dirt roads turned to mud, and going up muddy slopes,” McLean said. “It’s like two steps up and four steps back. It adds a little complexity to the fight.”

The burn scars of the Santa Rosa and Mendocino Complex wildfires may also feature mud if future storm systems dump large amounts of rain in Northern California.

While some vegetation has regrown in Santa Rosa following last year’s fires, it hasn’t been enough to stop potential debris runoff.

Large rainstorms can trigger debris flows and flash floods like what happened in January in Montecito in Santa Barbara County, where half an inch of rain dropped in five minutes to trigger a mudslide that killed 21 people.

McLean said there’s no cause for alarm right now, but residents should be prepared for any possible situation.

“Don’t be complacent,” he said.

Fire and weather officials said it would require several years of consistent rainfall to get California back to where it needs to be after returning to pre-drought water levels.

Gwendolyn Wu is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: gwendolyn.wu@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @gwendolynawu

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