Southern California braces for heightened fire danger as powerful Santa Ana winds sweep through the region, prompting a red flag warning from Friday through the weekend.
The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning effective from 9 a.m. Friday to 6 p.m. Saturday for several areas, including the Santa Clarita and San Fernando valleys, Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, and the San Gabriel Mountains.
Wind gusts are expected to reach up to 55 mph in mountainous areas and 45 mph in coastal and valley regions. The strongest winds are anticipated in wind-prone areas such as the 14 Freeway corridor from Acton to Fillmore, north of Los Angeles.
Adding to the fire risk, humidity levels are forecasted to drop to a dangerously low 5% to 15% range. This combination of strong winds and low humidity creates ideal conditions for rapid fire spread.
In response to the increased wildfire threat, Southern California Edison (SCE) has implemented precautionary power shutoffs. As of Friday afternoon, over 10,100 SCE customers in Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties were facing power outages. The utility company warned that nearly 120,000 customers across five counties could potentially be affected by these public safety shutoffs.
Jeff Monford, a spokesperson for SCE, explained the reasoning behind the shutoffs: "We're looking at extremely localized conditions to determine whether there's a risk of a fire should debris blow into a powerline and cause a spark."
Residents in affected areas are advised to stay informed about weather conditions and follow local authorities' instructions. The winds are expected to diminish by Sunday, but until then, Southern Californians should remain vigilant and prepared for potential fire hazards.
As the region faces these challenging weather conditions, it's a reminder of the ongoing wildfire risks in Southern California and the importance of community preparedness and cooperation during red flag warnings.