LOS ANGELES (CNS) – Much of Los Angeles County was again coping with red flag critical fire conditions Thursday as a powerful and “particularly dangerous” Santa Ana wind event continues to combine with low humidity to raise the risk of wildfires.
Winds battered much of the region Wednesday, with the National Weather Service reporting peak gusts in the mountains reaching 75 to 85 mph, and 45 to 65 mph at lower elevations. The wind speeds tapered off as evening fell Wednesday, although gusts still reached up to 60 mph in the mountains.
The winds picked up speed again Thursday morning, although falling slightly short of Wednesday’s levels.
“Despite some decrease in winds since yesterday this remains a highly critical and dangerous fire weather situation across LA and Ventura counties,” according to the National Weather Service. “… Strongest winds today will be in the Santa Susanna and San Gabriel Mountains where gusts up to 60 mph are possible. Across the valleys and Ventura coastal areas wind gusts between 30 and 50 mph are expected. Humidities in all areas will drop to around 10 percent.”
Conditions are expected to change rapidly later Thursday afternoon, resulting in a “significant decrease in winds” in some areas — including parts of Ventura County, where a wind-driven wildfire has ravaged more than 14,000 acres.
By Friday, “winds in most areas will return to typical onshore breezes mostly under 15 mph,” according to the NWS.
Until then, however, much of the region will be under red flag warnings of critical fire conditions, including “Particularly Dangerous Situation” red flag warnings in some areas.
Red flag warnings of critical fire conditions will be in effect until 6 p.m. Thursday at Los Angeles County beaches, Palos Verdes Hills, the Malibu Coast, the L.A. County inland coast including downtown, the San Gabriel Valley, San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, Calabasas and Agoura Hills.
Red flag warnings will remain in place until 11 a.m. Friday in the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area and the Golden State (5) Freeway corridor.
A “Particularly Dangerous Situation” red flag warning — a higher level of fire alert — will be in effect until 11 a.m. Friday for the San Gabriel Mountains and Antelope Valley (14) Freeway corridor.
Orange County coastal and inland areas and the Santa Ana Mountains will also be under a red flag warning until 6 p.m. Thursday.
“This is a dangerous fire weather event. Any new fires in the red flag warning area will have rapid fire spread, extreme fire behavior, and long range spotting,” forecasters said.
Due to the forecasted winds, the California Highway Patrol closed Topanga Canyon Boulevard to non-residents between Mulholland Drive and Pacific Coast Highway until 6 a.m. Friday. The CHP also issued a wind advisory throughout the Antelope Valley, including the 14 Freeway from Ward Road to the Kern County line, urging caution by people driving high-profile vehicles or campers or hauling trailers.
As is typical with Santa Ana wind events, Southern California Edison officials warned that some residents may be subjected to “Public Safety Power Shutoffs,” in which electricity is cut to some areas experiencing particularly high winds to reduce the possibility of fires being sparked by damaged equipment.
Power was cut to more than 16,300 SCE customers as of Thursday Morning in Los Angeles County, and nearly 4,000 in Orange County, according to the utility’s website.
Another 62,800 customers in L.A. County were being warned about possible power cuts, and another 7,400 in Orange County.
In Ventura County, where the 14,000-acre Mountain Fire was burning out of control, more than 23,600 SCE customers were without power due to the safety shutoffs.
Residents in particularly wind- and fire-prone areas were urged to take precautions during the high-wind event.
“With widespread critical fire weather conditions impacting Southern California, the County of Los Angeles Fire Department has implemented its augmented staffing plan by ordering additional staffing and pre deployment of ground and aerial resources throughout Los Angeles County,” Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone said in a statement. “It takes cooperation, communication, and community action to ensure the safety and survival of residents living in wildfire-prone areas. I urge residents to take appropriate precautions and be familiar with the Ready! Set! Go! program and Know Your Zone platform.”
County Sheriff Robert Luna said his agency was also “actively preparing for this significant weather event.”
“We are fully equipped and ready to respond to any emergency incidents that may arise in our communities,” Luna said. “We encourage residents in high-risk areas to be prepared for the unexpected and be ready to evacuate with essential items such as important medications, documents, and personal belongings.”
Authorities urged residents to be prepared by ensuring cell phones and other devices are fully charged with their ringers audible in case of emergency alerts. Residents should also have working flashlights within reach, and prepare for the possibility of evacuations if fires do erupt.
Residents can also sign up for emergency notifications through alert.lacounty.gov.
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