The first strong winds of the season are hitting Southern California this week, bringing warmer temperatures, drier air and a greater risk of wildfires. Forecasters warned that a single spark could turn into a destructive fire.
The most extreme conditions were expected in the valleys and mountains of Ventura and Los Angeles Counties, where the National Weather Service has issued red flag warnings for Thursday morning through Friday night. A red flag warning is a signal that experts and emergency officials are worried that fires could start more easily and spread quickly if they do.
Gusts up to 25 miles per hour blew across the San Fernando Valley Wednesday morning. The winds were expected to spread and intensify Thursday into Friday, with gusts likely to reach 70 m.p.h. in the mountains and 50 m.p.h. in the valleys.
“Friday is definitely going to bring the worst of it,” said Mike Wofford, a Weather Service meteorologist in Oxnard.
Strong winds were also expected to increase the wildfire threat in parts of the Sierra Nevada and its foothills, and in Lake County, a rural and agricultural region about 120 miles north of San Francisco. Red flag warnings were also issued across these areas.
Fall is the season for Santa Ana winds.
Late summer to early fall marks the start of windy season in Southern California. In September, the light ocean breeze that cools coastal areas often weakens just as winds blowing warm, dry air from the inland deserts can strengthen.
“As the wind goes up and over the mountains, the air gets compressed and heats up,” Mr. Wofford said.
These often fierce winds that are funneled through canyons and into valleys are known as Santa Ana winds. Some of the worst fires in Los Angeles history exploded as these winds howled and gusts hurled embers across miles. When flames tore through the communities of Pacific Palisades and Altadena in January 2024, winds reached 100 m.ph. This week’s winds are not expected to be as extreme.
The winds this week will appear days after rain from a far-off tropical system dampened some of Southern California. San Diego recorded an inch of rain, while over three inches soaked the surrounding mountains. The areas most at risk for fire this week recorded much less rain, and the vegetation remains dry enough to ignite easily, forecasters said.
Though San Diego and Orange Counties are at lower fire risk thanks to the recent rain, the Santa Anas are expected to send strong winds there and east into the desert areas. A wind watch was in effect for much of those areas, with gusts over 70 m.p.h. possible.
Utility companies said they may intentionally shut off power to some homes and businesses to reduce the risk that power lines knocked over by winds could send sparks flying.
Southern California Edison said it was considering cutting off power to nearly 250,000 customers, while Pacific Gas and Electric may do the same to 70,000 customers in Central and Northern California.
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