Worst Winds In a Decade Bring Extreme Fire Danger To Westwood

LOS ANGELES, CA — Meteorologists are expecting the strongest Santa Ana wind event since 2007 to get underway late Tuesday evening, creating "extreme" fire weather conditions due to strong winds combining with very low humidity levels and an abundance of dry vegetation, the National Weather Service said. Wind gusts will be 80 miles per hour in the mountains, officials said.

What the NWS is calling an "extreme red flag warning" will be in effect from 11 p.m. Tuesday through 6 p.m. Thursday in much of Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Meteorologists explained that the use of the word "extreme" does not indicate the creation of a new NWS product but, rather, serves to informally emphasize the severity of the conditions expected.

"There is increasing confidence of a strong and damaging Santa Ana wind event late Tuesday evening through Thursday. The peak of the wind event is expected to be Wednesday when damaging wind gusts between 50 and 70 mph will be likely for the wind-pone areas of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, with isolated gusts to 80 mph in the mountains.," according to an NWS statement. This Santa Ana wind event will likely be the strongest we have seen so far this season.

"These strong winds combined with a long duration of single digit humidities (including very poor to no recoveries Wednesday night) and dry fuels will likely bring very critical fire weather conditions, making this an extreme Red Flag Warning event."

The red flag warning going into effect at 11 p.m. Tuesday evening will apply to the San Gabriel Mountains in L.A. and Ventura counties, the Angeles National Forest in L.A. County, the Los Padres National Forest in Ventura County, and the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area. Northeast winds will blow at 30 to 50 mph in those areas, accompanies by gusts of 60 to 70 mph and possibly 80 mph. The NWS said "slightly weaker" winds are expected Thursday.

"If fire ignition occurs, conditions will be favorable for extreme fire behavior, long range spotting, and very rapid fire spread, which would threaten life and property," according to the statement. "The strength of the expected winds could result in downed trees and power lines as well as power outages."

The Los Angeles County Fire Dept will have augmented staffing in place for Malibu and surrounding areas, the City of Malibu said.

"A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are expected," the City said. "Use extreme caution with potential fire ignition sources."

The warning will also apply to the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys — areas where northeast winds are forecast to blow at 25 to 40 mph. with gusts of 50 to 60 mph.

In the San Gabriel Valley, beach cities, Metropolitan L.A. and the Hollywood Hills — areas also under the red flag warning — winds of 20-30 miles are expected, along with 50 mph gusts.

Also scheduled starting late Tuesday evening and ending Thursday morning is a high wind watch in the same areas covered by the red flag warning.

In the Antelope Valley, a frost advisory will be in effect until 9 a.m. Tuesday, with temperatures expected to dip to 32 degrees, four degrees higher than Monday. Also scheduled is a hard freeze watch from early Wednesday morning through Friday, with temperatures falling to 18 degrees, according to the NWS.

City News Service and Emily contributed to this post.