Whipping Santa Ana winds and dropping humidity levels will create an enhanced risk for wildfires in Southern California this week ... Reaching up to 80 mph, the gusts pose an "extreme" wildfire risk, in addition to low humidity and very dry vegetation ...
Strong Santa Ana winds are fueling multiple wildfires across Southern California, forcing thousands of residents to flee from their homes.
With the strongest gusts expected on Tuesday, extreme fire condition threats will prevail until midweek, L.A.-area fire chiefs say.
The Santa Ana Wildfire Threat Index is warning Southern Californians of high risk conditions this week. Winds will increase on Tuesday, likely peaking Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, then weakening some on Thursday. It will be critically dry, and fire danger will be high. Be prepared.
The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning starting Monday for San Diego County's inland valleys and mountains.
On Tuesday, Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District's (SMMUSD) four Malibu schools closed due to red flag warnings and power shutoffs in the area. The ongoing Santa Ana winds prompted the closures. This included Webster Elementary, Malibu Elementary, Malibu Middle School and Malibu High School.
The fires devastating California are exacerbated by warm winds similar to what Alberta experiences, which is a risk the Calgary Fire Department prepares for.
The Associated Press on MSN11d
What are California’s Santa Ana winds?
Santa Ana winds in Southern California are often-fierce winds that topple power lines and trees and can turn a spark into a raging wildfire.
The Santa Ana winds fanning wildfires that have killed at least 25 people in Southern California and destroyed more than 10,000 houses, businesses and other structures in Greater Los Angeles are flaring up again.
Forecasters say weaker winds will hit on Saturday night and Sunday, and that there will be no relief until the county gets rain.
Firefighters made progress battling back the deadly Los Angeles blazes overnight into Saturday, Jan, 18. as President-elect Donald Trump said he likely will visit the fire-torn areas next week. “I will be, probably, at the end of the week,” Trump told NBC News in an interview on Saturday.