Southern California is officially bracing for a major weather shift.
A powerful Santa Ana wind event is sweeping into the region.
These notoriously dry, strong winds are bringing a critical threat of dangerous fire weather to our area. If you live near the mountains or foothills, now is the time to get prepared.
Here is exactly what you need to know about the current warnings and how to stay safe over the next few days.
When and where the warnings apply
According to the National Weather Service, a Red Flag Warning is in effect from 6 a.m. Thursday until 8 p.m. Saturday.
This alert covers large portions of Los Angeles and Ventura counties. The most closely monitored locations include:
- The Santa Monica Mountains
- The San Gabriel Mountains
- The Interstate 5 corridor
- The Antelope Valley foothills
- Communities in Santa Clarita, Malibu, and desert areas
On top of the fire risk, temperatures are climbing. A Heat Advisory is also in place from 10 a.m. Thursday to 8 p.m. Saturday.
What to expect from the winds
Forecasters are predicting intense conditions. We can expect northeast to east winds blowing at 20 to 40 mph. However, the real danger comes from the sudden gusts, which could reach 50 to 70 mph in certain areas.
“From the models that we’ve gotten from the weather, from NOAA it can be winds up to 70 miles an hour. That’s strange,” noted L.A. County Fire Department Engineer Keith Navarre.
Combined with humidity levels dropping as low as 8% to 20%, these conditions could support extreme fire behavior if a spark ignites.
Potential power shutoffs and parking rules
To help prevent wildfires, utility companies are taking precautionary measures. About 224,500 Southern California Edison customers across Los Angeles and Ventura counties could be impacted by a Public Safety Power Shutoff. You can check your address on the utility’s website to see if you might be affected.
Additionally, Red Flag parking restrictions begin at 6 a.m. Thursday. They will remain in place for at least 48 hours. The Los Angeles Fire Department warns that vehicles parked illegally in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones could be towed. This ensures narrow roads stay clear for emergency responders and evacuating residents.
How local fire agencies are preparing
Fire departments are not taking any chances. Agencies are actively deploying personnel and equipment across the region.
Starting at 8 a.m. Thursday, all LA County firefighters are on phone standby. The department is also adding a fourth firefighter to every staffed engine. Additional resources are being pre-deployed in high-risk zones, including the San Fernando Valley, Hollywood Hills, and West Los Angeles. Cal Fire is also stepping up, deploying three strike teams—totaling 15 trucks—across Los Angeles County.
“We are pre-positioning some strike teams. So we have two strike teams that we pre-position, camp crews, heavy equipment, helicopters, firefighting aircraft,” Navarre explained. “The purpose of doing that is if the fire breaks out, we can stop it when it’s small and put it out before it becomes a larger incident.”
Steps you should take right now
Officials are urging all residents to be proactive. Now is the time to review your wildfire action plan.
Make sure you:
- Pack any important medications
- Know your designated evacuation zone
- Register for local emergency notification systems
Above all, fire officials remind everyone to strictly avoid activities that could spark a fire. Stay alert and be ready for rapidly changing conditions throughout the weekend.
