Los Angeles, CA – Southern California faces life-threatening fire weather conditions this week, with a Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) Red Flag Warning issued for Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Strong Santa Ana winds and critically low humidities are expected to create conditions ripe for extreme fire behavior starting Monday night.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), Santa Ana winds will strengthen Monday morning, with gusts peaking Monday night into Tuesday. Damaging winds of 60-80 mph are forecasted in mountain regions, while coastal and valley areas could see gusts of up to 65 mph. These conditions will persist through Wednesday, with humidities dropping as low as 2%. Residents near wildland areas are urged to create defensible space around their properties and prepare for potential evacuations.
The hardest-hit areas are expected to include the Santa Monica and San Gabriel mountains, Ventura County valleys, and corridors along Highways 118 and 210. The winds could also bring down power lines and trees, increasing the risk of fires and power outages.
By mid-week, conditions may rival past significant events like the Mountain and Thomas Fires. NWS warns that any fire ignitions could spread rapidly due to dry vegetation and high winds.
Dry offshore winds are likely to persist into Thursday, though gusts should weaken slightly. Residents are advised to stay informed, monitor local alerts, and avoid any activities that could spark a fire.
Stay vigilant and visit ReadyForWildfire.org for preparedness tips.
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