LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) – Authorities in Southern California were on high alert on Sunday amid high winds and an increased risk of fire expected to last through Tuesday.
“We don’t have the rain we need. There’s a lot of dry vegetation, a lot of dry brushing out there – which we have to be really careful with, ”said Henry Narvaez of the LA County Fire Department.
The National Weather Service says gusty winds will develop in Santa Ana from Sunday evening through Tuesday, with gusts in the mountains and valleys expected to reach speeds of up to 100 km / h. The strongest winds were possible along the vine.
The noxious winds could hit areas from San Bernardino to the mountains of Riverside County, the Inland Empire and Orange, according to the NWS. The NWS also says that “Monday relative humidity will drop into the popular single-digit numbers and will remain extremely low through Tuesday with a poor recovery on Monday evening.” As a result, according to NWS, critical fire weather conditions are possible.
As a result, several weather warnings and advisories are expected to take effect. This includes a high wind warning starting at 11:00 p.m. Sunday for the Santa Clarita Valley, San Fernando Valley, Santa Monica Mountains, Ventura County Valleys / Mountains, LA County Mountains, Inland Empire, Inland Orange County and the San Bernardino County Mountains. The warning means that harmful winds can blow large objects like trees and power lines and allow power outages.
In addition, a wind report for the coasts of Los Angeles, Orange County, and Ventura Counties, and the San Gabriel Valley will come into effect at 11:00 p.m. Early Monday, a red flag warning will take effect for most of the south, including LA, Ventura, Riverside County Mountains, Santa Clarita Valley, San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel Valley, Ventura and LA Coast, Downtown and Inland OC.
The California Highway Patrol has issued a wind report for the Antelope Valley (14) Freeway in the Antelope Valley area.
“Our emergency officers are world-class and will be ready to defend lives and property,” said Kevin McGowan, director of emergency management for LA County. “We need all of LA County’s residents to work together to be safe as a region. We must all do our part by staying informed and ready to evacuate at any time, especially if you live in canyon, mountain or foothill communities. “
Despite the risk of fire, overnight frost temperatures are expected in Antelope Valley on Monday and Tuesday, and a frost watch is expected late Sunday.
Nearly 5,000 SoCal Edison customers in Riverside County could turn off their power to reduce the risk of a power outage that could result in a fire in high winds.
This is a move that has already taken place in Northern California, where nearly 400,000 PG&E customers have been in the dark.
(© Copyright 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All rights reserved. City News Service contributed to this report.)
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