LOS ANGELES, CA – The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for much of Los Angeles County beginning 6 a.m. Thursday, as a Santa Ana wind event, critically low humidity and heat raise the risk of rapidly spreading wildfires, county officials said.
The warning starts Thursday, Oct. 15, and runs until 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, for most areas, according to the latest Red Flag Warning product from the NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard office, issued at 3:37 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14. Earlier reports had given a Friday 10 p.m. end time; the later update extends the period.
Los Angeles County public safety agencies urged residents to prepare in a news release dated Oct. 14. The county said dangerous fire weather is forecast from Thursday through Friday night and that critical conditions could extend into Saturday.
Warning covers mountains, foothills and highway corridors
The NWS product covers Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. In Los Angeles County, the affected area includes the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, the Santa Susana Mountains, the Interstate 5 Corridor, the San Gabriel Mountains and Highway 14 Corridor, and the Antelope Valley Foothills.
According to initial reports, the warning also reaches the Malibu Coast, Calabasas, and the Santa Clarita, San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys.
The NWS said that if a fire ignites, “conditions are favorable for extreme fire behavior which would threaten life and property.”
Gusts of 50 to 70 mph forecast in the mountains
In mountain and foothill areas, winds will blow northeast to east at 20 to 40 mph with gusts of 50 to 70 mph, the NWS said. The strongest winds are expected from Thursday afternoon through Friday afternoon.
Minimum relative humidity of 8 to 20 percent is common across the warned areas. Coasts and valleys are forecast to see gusts of 45 to 55 mph, with isolated gusts up to 65 mph.
NWS meteorologist Ryan Kittell attributed the warning to a combination of heat, strong Santa Ana winds, low humidity and dry brush. He called it a moderate to locally strong event.
Heat Advisory runs through Saturday
A Heat Advisory is in effect Thursday through Saturday for portions of the county, according to the county release. According to initial reports, it takes effect at 10 a.m. Thursday for the Malibu Coast, Los Angeles County beaches, the Palos Verdes Hills and the Inland Coast, including downtown Los Angeles.
The county’s heat resources page lists cooling centers on an interactive map and says some sites operate as Augmented Cooling Centers with extended hours during extreme heat. Residents can also call 211 LA County for cooling center locations.
Fire Department pre-positions crews and aircraft
The Los Angeles County Fire Department pre-positioned additional ground and aerial resources countywide, the county said. The county Emergency Operations Center and Joint Information Center activate Thursday morning.
Kevin McGowan, director of the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management, said: “We are activating the EOC and Joint Information Center ahead of the forecast’s peak winds to support those priorities.” He said the priorities include early coordination, clear public information and planning for people who need additional assistance.
Sheriff Robert Luna said the safety of communities and personnel remains the highest priority. The Sheriff’s Department is relying on heightened monitoring, coordination with law enforcement partners and strategic staffing, he said.
Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone urged residents to review the Ready! Set! Go! program, identify their evacuation zone and be prepared to evacuate without delay.
Edison considers power shutoffs in Malibu and beyond
Southern California Edison said it is considering Public Safety Power Shutoffs for more than 89,400 customers in Los Angeles County. Advance notices went to the Cuthbert, Galahad, Maguire and Merlin circuits in Malibu, where power could be cut starting around midnight Thursday, the utility said.
The City of Malibu publishes maps of the eight SCE circuits serving the city, which show the areas that could be affected by a shutoff. The Cuthbert circuit covers roughly Latigo Canyon Road to Bonsall Drive, extending about one mile inland from Pacific Coast Highway. The Merlin circuit covers roughly Latigo Canyon Road to Malibu Lagoon.
The Galahad circuit runs from the western edge of Point Dume to Point Mugu, and the Maguire circuit lies north of Point Dume. SCE said restoration could take eight hours or more after the winds die down. Final decisions depend on real-time wind and weather conditions, and the number of customers who will lose power has not been set.
Red flag parking restrictions in hillside zones
The Los Angeles Fire Department said red flag parking restrictions are in effect until further notice in the city’s Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, according to an LAFD alert. Vehicles illegally parked in posted locations will be towed.
The department said: “It is important that fire apparatus have room to respond quickly to a fast-moving brush fire while simultaneously allowing residents to evacuate, if necessary.”
Mayor Karen Bass said Oct. 14 that she is in constant communication with Fire Chief Jaime Moore and that LAFD resources are being predeployed strategically to keep Angelenos and hillside communities safe. The LAFD has also requested added help from the California Office of Emergency Services.
Preparation steps for residents
The county release points residents to ready.lacounty.gov, alert.lacounty.gov and protect.genasys.com for information and alerts, as well as 211 and 911. It advises residents to plan for power outages and Public Safety Power Shutoffs.
Residents in or near wildland areas are advised to identify their evacuation zones and review household emergency plans. They are also advised to charge phones and backup devices, secure loose outdoor items and keep vehicles fueled.
Property owners should use extreme caution with any equipment or activity that could produce outdoor sparks. Residents who use electrically powered medical equipment should have a secondary power plan ready.
Warning runs through Saturday evening
The Red Flag Warning takes effect at 6 a.m. Thursday and runs until 8 p.m. Saturday for most areas, with the strongest winds expected from Thursday afternoon through Friday afternoon. The Heat Advisory also runs through Saturday.
County agencies will monitor weather and wind conditions, and SCE said it will send customers updates on the status of any shutoffs. Fire crews and aircraft will remain in position until the winds subside and humidity recovers.
