A Red Flag Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) for parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, with dangerously dry conditions and high winds expected to create critical fire weather from Monday, 10 a.m. to Wednesday, 6 p.m. The warning applies to areas including the Eastern San Fernando Valley, Southern Ventura County Mountains, Northern Ventura County Mountains, the Interstate 5 Corridor, and Los Angeles.
What To Expect:
Starting late Monday morning, Santa Ana winds are predicted to sharply intensify, with wind speeds of 20 to 30 mph, and gusts ranging from 35 to 55 mph likely across many areas. Winds will peak Monday night into Tuesday. By Wednesday, the winds will begin to diminish, but the dry conditions will persist with gusts expected between 20 to 35 mph.
Along with these strong winds, relative humidity levels are expected to plummet, with many areas dropping to around 15% by Monday afternoon or evening. By Monday night into Tuesday, humidity will fall to a dangerously low 5-10%, and could even reach as low as 2% in some isolated areas. These extremely dry conditions will continue through Wednesday, further increasing the fire risk.
This combination of strong winds, low humidity, and dry vegetation is creating critical to extremely critical fire weather conditions across much of Los Angeles and Ventura counties. The NWS warns that this event is a Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) Red Flag Warning, meaning the risk of fire is unusually high, and any ignitions could rapidly escalate into fast-moving, destructive fires.
Fire Risks During This Time:
- Wind Gusts: 60 to 80 mph in the wind-prone mountain and foothill areas, and 40 to 65 mph in coastal and valley regions.
- Extreme Fire Behavior: With single-digit humidity levels, the fire threat is severe. New fires could spread rapidly, with long-range spotting and extreme fire behavior likely.
- Damaging Winds: There’s also the risk of downed trees and powerlines, potentially causing power outages, particularly in wind-prone corridors.
Areas Most Affected:
The areas expected to face the highest fire risk include —
- San Gabriels, Santa Susanas, and Western Santa Monicas (including Malibu)
- Ventura County valleys, especially Simi Valley and Moorpark
- Western San Fernando Valley, particularly the 118/210 corridors (from Porter Ranch to San Fernando)
- Hills above Camarillo and East Ventura
Due to the long duration of this dangerous event, along with critically dry fuels, the potential for fire spread is extreme. If a fire were to ignite, conditions are highly favorable for extreme fire behavior — which could endanger lives, properties, and infrastructure.
How Can You Stay Safe?
- Stay Alert: Pay attention to updates from local authorities and the NWS.
- Prepare Your Property: Clear any dry vegetation around your home and ensure you have a plan in place for evacuation, just in case.
- Avoid Outdoor Activities: Refrain from activities that could spark a fire, such as grilling, using power tools, or discarding cigarette butts in dry areas.
- Be Prepared for Power Outages: With the possibility of downed power lines, be ready for potential disruptions to your electricity.
For a full breakdown on first safety, please check out the NWS fire safety guide here! Stay safe and stay informed.