A major "diablo wind" — notorious in autumn for its hot, dry gusts — is expected to whip up across Northern California on Thursday evening, causing humidity levels to drop and raising the risk of wildfires.

Red flag fire warnings have been raised and utilities have said they could need to cut power supplies. California wildfire risks are rising as the state’s annual wind season gets underway with gusts rolling out of the north that can fan any flame into an out-of-control blaze,

A so-called “inside slider” is forecast to bring breezy weather to a large portion of California later this week, heightening wildfire risk at a time of year when vegetation is parched and flammable.