Fire Danger Looms as High Winds and Dry Conditions Bring Increased Risk of Wildfires
High Winds and Extreme Fire Danger
Across the Ventura County coast communities and the Santa Clarita and San Gabriel valleys, fire crews moved their engines outside and into position on Monday night, ready to respond to the increased risk of wildfires due to high winds and extreme fire danger.
National Weather Service Issues PDS Warning
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) warning, calling for a strong, widespread, and long-duration Santa Ana event that will bring critical to extremely critical fire weather conditions to many areas of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
Red Flag Warning Issued
The NWS issued a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect from Monday night to Wednesday. According to the NWS, the most dangerous conditions will occur between 10 p.m. Monday and 2 p.m. Tuesday, with wind gusts of 50-80 mph and humidities dropping to between 5 and 15%.
Senior Forecaster Warns of "Heightened Sense of Danger"
Andrew Rorke, a senior forecaster for NWS, warns that conditions are now so dangerous, urging residents to prepare for a "heightened sense of danger." He notes that the weather event brings a high risk of rapid fire growth, downed trees, and power outages.
Recent History of Devastating Fires
Just last month, the Mountain Fire in Ventura County destroyed almost 250 homes under similar conditions. The NWS is warning of extreme fire behavior, with the possibility of many downed trees and power outages.
SoCal Edison Prepares for Power Outages
SoCal Edison warned that up to a quarter of a million customers could lose power due to downed lines, which could spark a monster fire. In Malibu, city officials expect SoCal Edison to shut off power to several circuits.
Current Situation
As of 10 p.m., no fires or power outages have been reported, but officials expect conditions to worsen overnight.
Conclusion
The combination of high winds and dry conditions poses a significant threat to the region, and residents are advised to take necessary precautions to ensure their safety. Fire crews are on high alert, ready to respond to any emerging situations. The National Weather Service and local authorities urge everyone to stay informed and take necessary precautions to avoid disaster.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) warning?
A: A PDS warning is issued by the National Weather Service when a severe weather event is expected to cause significant damage or loss of life.
Q: What are the expected weather conditions?
A: Strong, widespread, and long-duration Santa Ana winds, with gusts of 50-80 mph and humidities between 5 and 15%.
Q: What is the risk of fire growth?
A: The risk of rapid fire growth is high, with the potential for many downed trees and power outages.
Q: How many customers could lose power?
A: SoCal Edison estimates up to a quarter of a million customers could lose power due to downed lines.
Q: What is the current situation?
A: As of 10 p.m., no fires or power outages have been reported, but conditions are expected to worsen overnight.
