Southern California is bracing for a dangerous weekend of howling Santa Ana winds with heightened wildfire danger as officials warn a single spark could unleash a fast-moving inferno.
Red Flag Warnings will take effect at 2 a.m. Saturday and remain in place until 6 p.m. across fire-prone portions of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, including the Santa Monica Mountains, western San Gabriel Mountains and Highway 14 corridor.
The National Weather Service is forecasting wind gusts of 30 to 45 mph in mountain communities, with isolated gusts potentially reaching 55 mph. Temperatures could climb into the 80s and 90s, while low humidity creates a dangerous combination for wildfire outbreaks.
“If fire ignition occurs, conditions are favorable for extreme fire behavior, which could threaten life and property,” the Weather Service warned.
Recent rainfall has done little to eliminate the threat.
“Live fuel moisture is still in the 65-80% range, which means the area is not ‘out of the woods’ with respect to the fire threat,” the Weather Service stated.
The warning comes weeks after October’s Santa Ana winds helped fuel the 570-acre Norte Fire, which tore through San Clemente and neighboring San Juan Capistrano, damaging or destroying seven homes and forcing thousands of evacuations.
Southern California Edison is also preparing for potential Public Safety Power Shutoffs, with nearly 4,900 customers in Los Angeles and Ventura counties being considered for outages as of Friday morning.
The precautionary blackouts are intended to prevent wind-damaged power lines and electrical equipment from sparking fires.
Los Angeles County public safety agencies have ramped up preparations, increasing fire department staffing and positioning ground and air resources ahead of the weekend.
“With strong winds capable of driving rapid wildfire growth, we urge residents to be prepared,” county Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone said.
“Review your Ready! Set! Go! Wildfire Action Plan, practice your evacuation routes, check-in with neighbors who may need assistance during an evacuation, and call 9-1-1 immediately if you see signs of smoke or fire.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said firefighters and equipment would be strategically positioned from Friday evening through Sunday morning.
The Los Angeles Fire Department will also activate its Red Flag Parking Restriction Program at 6 a.m. Saturday, banning parking on certain streets in very high fire-hazard zones to keep evacuation routes clear.
Officials are urging residents to identify evacuation routes, prepare pets, keep vehicles fueled or charged and have emergency supplies and backup batteries ready. Anyone needing extra time or assistance should leave when an evacuation warning is issued rather than waiting for an order.
Meanwhile, another weather threat is brewing along the coast, where high surf and coastal flooding advisories extend through Wednesday. Morning high tides could reach 7.7 feet, with waves topping 8 feet along the Central Coast.
There may finally be some relief next week, however, as forecasters monitor a storm system that could bring widespread moderate rain beginning Friday, Nov. 13, with the best chances of precipitation extending into the following Monday.
Officials cautioned that the timing and rainfall totals remain uncertain.
