Southern California is bracing for potentially devastating fire conditions as powerful Santa Ana winds are expected to hit the region starting Monday. Forecasters predict gusts reaching 60 to 70 mph across Los Angeles and Ventura counties, exacerbated by low humidity levels.
The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning, indicating that a strong wind event will persist at least through Tuesday. This combination of fierce winds and extremely dry conditions poses a significant risk for rapid fire spread and extreme fire behavior.
Affected areas span from Santa Barbara to San Diego, all under a fire-weather warning until 10 p.m. on Tuesday. The forecast suggests that if any fires ignite, the conditions could lead to life-threatening situations and property damage.
This warning comes amid ongoing efforts to contain wildfires that have already resulted in at least 27 fatalities and destroyed over 12,000 structures across 40,000 acres this month. Currently, the Palisades Fire is 52% contained, while the Eaton Fire is 81% under control.