Portions of Southern California have been warned of a risk posed by “large life-threatening wildfires” amid “unseasonably” strong winds, the National Weather Service (NWS) says.
Why It Matters
Southern California was battered by concurrent deadly wildfires in January. The Palisades and Eaton Fires scorched thousands of acres, destroyed thousands of buildings and prompted mass evacuations, some lasting weeks.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom came under scrutiny from both sides of the aisle as questions concerning water pressure and access persisted. Bass ultimately removed city Fire Chief Kristin Crowley in February following the deadly blazes.
What To Know
According to an alert from the NWS, in part, “A late season trough now pushing into California has put an end to the heat from earlier in the week with unseasonably strong northwest to north winds likely across the region through Saturday.”
The areas that could see the strong winds include portions of Ventura, Los Angeles and Santa Barbara Counties. The mountain regions could see gusts of 30 to 50 miles per hour, the agency adds.
Southwest Santa Barbara County from Gaviota to Refugio could see gusts Friday afternoon into the night of 65 miles per hour, the NWS says. Ventura County, the mountains and Antelope Valley foothills of Los Angeles County near the I-5 corridor and the interior mountains of Santa Barbara County could also see gusts into Saturday.
“Isolated power outages, downed trees, and an increased risk for large life threatening wildfires will be possible with the strong and potentially damaging winds,” the NWS warns.
“Widespread Wind Advisories and more focused High Wind Warnings are in place for the areas with the highest confidence in wind impacts. Much weaker winds are anticipated into Sunday for most areas in Breezy northwest to onshore wind gusts of 20 to 40 mph,” the alert says.
In January, strong winds were top of mind for Los Angeles County officials as the fires spread rapidly, facilitated by the intense gusts.
What People Are Saying
NWS Los Angeles on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday: “Hazardous winds peaking today and Saturday – strongest 2-9pm. Boaters should stay in safe harbor. Drivers, watch for road debris and blowing dust. Isolated power outages and downed trees possible. Elevated risk of grass fires – stay aware of your surroundings. #cawx“
NWS Fire and Weather Program Manager David Gomberg told Newsweek Friday: “A low pressure system is kind of unusual to move into the area this late into the season. These are more reminiscent to springtime conditions.”
Gomberg added, “the winds are in areas where the January wildfires weren’t so there is still a lot of vegetation that could burn.”
What Happens Next
The inland areas of Southern California are expected to experience a “warming trend” starting on Sunday. But the warmup will still bring below-normal temperatures, the NWS says.
The post Southern California Warned of Risk for ‘Large Life-Threatening Wildfires’ appeared first on Newsweek.
