The first significant Santa Ana wind event of the season took shape across Southern California on Tuesday, delivering gusty winds, above-normal temperatures and heightened fire danger, with the conditions expected to persist into Wednesday.
A red flag warning of critical fire conditions will be in effect until 6 p.m. Wednesday in the western San Gabriel Mountains, as well as southeastern Ventura County valleys and the Santa Susana Mountains.
Want to get caught up on what's happening in SoCal every weekday afternoon? Click to follow The L.A. Local wherever you get podcasts.
Forecasters said those areas could experience wind gusts of up to 45 mph, with humidity falling as low as 8% Tuesday and 5% Wednesday.
As of Tuesday morning, National Weather Service forecasters said winds were gusting in some areas at 25 to 40 mph, but they were expected to increase to 35 to 50 mph in particularly wind-prone areas, such as the Santa Clarita Valley.
Temperatures were also on the rise Tuesday, with high temperatures expected in the mid-80s to mid-90s in select areas, which is roughly 10 to 15 degrees above normal for this time of year, according to the NWS.
"As for fire weather concerns, humidities are already dropping into the high teens to 30 percent range where the Santa Ana wind gusts are strongest," according to the NWS. "These humidities are expected to decrease further and bring widespread elevated to brief critical fire weather conditions these next two days, and critical fire weather conditions to the Eastern San Gabriel Mountains, Santa Susana Mountains, and the southeastern Ventura valleys. Residents in or near theses areas are advised to check for multiple ways to receive weather and emergency alerts and make preparations to evacuate in an emergency wildfire situation."
A heat advisory will be in effect through 7 p.m. Wednesday for Los Angeles County beaches, the Palos Verdes Hills, the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational area, Calabasas, Agoura Hills, the San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys and the inland coastal area stretching to downtown Los Angeles, as well as the Orange County inland area.
Santa Ana conditions are expected to weaken later in the weak, but forecasters said temperatures will likely remain above normal into the weekend.
Prompted by the elevated temperatures and strong winds, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement the city's Office of Public Safety was coordinating with the Emergency Management Department, as well as the fire, police and recreation and parks departments, to ensure they are ready to respond as needed.
The city has hundreds of locations open for heat relief, such as recreation and parks facilities and local library branches. For locations and hours of operations, information is available at laparks.org/reccenter and lapl.org/branches.
Angelenos can also call 3-1-1 from within the city to learn more, as well as sign up to receive adverse weather alerts on their phones at NotifyLA.org.
"Our city departments remain prepared to keep Angelenos safe and to respond to any needs ahead of the expected high temperatures beginning (Tuesday). Especially as we cheer on the Dodgers, I encourage all residents to stay hydrated, check in on your neighbors, and take advantage of the resources available citywide to help keep you cool and safe," Bass said in a statement.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Board Chair Kathryn Barger had a similar message, noting that emergency response officials were closely tracking the incoming Santa Ana wind and heat event. Beginning Monday night, the county's Emergency Operations Center was activated to monitor conditions and coordinate resources in real time as well.
"I've been briefed by our emergency management officials and I want to reassure the public that we are ready to respond as needed," Barger said in a statement. "When you live in a wildfire-prone area or not, I encourage all residents to stay vigilant."
"High winds and warm temperatures can create rapidly changing conditions, so please secure outdoor items, avoid any activities that could spark a fire, and check on neighbors who may be vulnerable and need help. Staying alert and prepared helps keep all of us safe," Barger added.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said Tuesday that the Governor's Office of Emergency Service had approved the pre-deployment of 10 fire engines, three water tenders, three helicopters, three hand crews and three dispatchers with 107 support personnel in anticipation of potential wildfires from the gusting winds and low humidity.
"Cal Fire also remains at peak staffing at all units within the impacted region and has full use of both state-owned air assets and exclusive use aircraft to rapidly attack any new fires that may start," according to a statement from the governor's office.
Follow KNX News 97.1 FM