Southern California typically has enough rain by January that even the big winter winds don’t cause concerns about large-scale fires.
But this year is different.
After more than eight months without measurable rainfall, Southland local authorities are preparing for a “destructive and life-threatening” storm. The winds will last for several days and occur well beyond the region’s typical wind corridors, potentially extending the region’s fire season into January.
“This event is extreme,” said Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Capt. Eric Scott. “Many people think that once winter comes, the fire danger goes away, but that is not the case, especially in Southern California.”
heads up! ! ! Life-threatening, destructive and widespread storms are expected across much of Ventura/Los Angeles County from Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday morning. Areas that don’t normally experience strong winds will also be affected. See diagram for areas of most concern. Stay indoors, away from windows, and be prepared for power outages. #LA pic.twitter.com/yl83LxeMEc
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) January 6, 2025
Dry wind gusts (some up to 160 mph) are expected across much of Los Angeles and Ventura counties starting Tuesday, increasing the threat of fast-moving wildfires and destroying trees, power lines, and even damage. is also expected to occur. A vehicle that attracts a lot of attention.
A rare late-season red flag warning, which describes fire weather conditions that are “widespread, damaging, and persistent,” is in effect for the region through at least Thursday and could be extended into Friday. This is the first time since 2021 that the National Weather Service Los Angeles office has issued such a warning.
“This is not a common occurrence,” Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Rich Thompson said of January’s red flag warning. But he said it happens “sometimes, especially in drier winters.”
And so far, Southern California is experiencing its driest start to the wet season in years. Downtown Los Angeles hasn’t recorded more than a tenth of an inch of rain since May 5th.
“We cannot let our guard down in Southern California,” said Brent Pascua, a battalion chief with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. “We haven’t seen as much moisture this year…so the fuel is in place.”
Normally, drying out plants isn’t a big problem in the cool months, but when Santa Ana’s strong winds bring down humidity, a single spark can quickly become dangerous, Pascua said. .
“This is the perfect recipe for a massive wildfire,” he said.
As of Monday afternoon, the red flag warning had not been raised to the more unusual “particularly dangerous” level due to the upcoming storm, but forecasters warned that conditions could worsen further. . Both the Ventura County wildfires in November and the Franklin Fire in Malibu in December occurred in dangerously dry and windy conditions.
This week’s red flag warning said: “If a fire were to occur, conditions would favor very rapid fire spread and extreme fire behavior, including detection from long distances, which could threaten life and property.” . “Please use extreme caution with anything that could start a wildfire. Residents near wilderness boundaries should be prepared to evacuate in the event of a wildfire.”
Although large wildfires remain rare in California in January, only a few wildfires have occurred in January since 2016, and most of them were small, according to the CalFire database. It’s not unprecedented. In 2014, the Colby Fire broke out in Glendora and Azusa in mid-January, destroying several homes and buildings in the area.
Even more concerning is the wide range of this wind phenomenon. Dangerous high winds are expected in mountainous areas and along typically windy roads, but also in areas that don’t normally see strong Santa Anas, such as the Hollywood Hills, Beverly Hills, and Sepulveda Pass, as well as the Palos Verdes Peninsula and beyond. But it is expected to blow. Catalina Island. These areas are under a fire weather watch as of Monday.
“Given the widespread nature of the winds that we’re forecasting, that’s a very high level of concern everywhere,” Thompson said. “Be prepared for fires to occur during this event anywhere in Los Angeles County outside of the Antelope Valley, from the mountains to the coast.”
The Bureau of Meteorology warned of sustained north and northeast winds of 35 to 55 mph across the region, with widespread damaging gusts of 50 to 80 mph. The strongest winds are expected in the mountains, foothills and valleys, with intermittent gusts of 80 to 160 mph in parts of the foothills of San Fernando and San Gabriel, including Crescenta, Altadena, Monrovia and Azusa. There is a possibility of blowing.
There is also the possibility of “strong mountain wind conditions” late Tuesday into early Wednesday, which could mean gusts moving rapidly down the slopes of the San Gabriel Mountains, causing “temporary periods of very strong and dangerous wind gusts.” This means that there is a possibility that the direction of the wind will change in a direction that will cause the occurrence of a storm. The wind is blowing,” Thompson said.
“If it does develop, it can cause very specific damage,” he says. “Imagine something like a wave in the water. The wind travels down the slope and then hits the water surface and becomes very strong.”
Such a “mountain wave” phenomenon likely won’t last long, but it could be similar to what happened in 2011 in Pasadena, Altadena, and other parts of the San Gabriel Valley when gusty winds caused power outages and other severe damage. May cause destruction. Over 400,000 people for several days.
“Stay indoors and away from windows,” the Bureau of Meteorology warned in its latest warning focused on the area. “Power outages are expected.”
Officials said they are coordinating with the National Weather Service to best prepare for both wind damage and the possibility of fire. Pascua said CalFire is pre-positioning resources and increasing staffing throughout Southern California in advance of any adversity. In Los Angeles, Scott said crews are setting up additional resources near high-fire areas and developing emergency plans for what to do in the event of an emergency.
In addition to unscheduled power outages, power companies have warned that they may begin rolling outages to limit fire outbreaks. Southern California Edison says its 294,000 customers, primarily in Los Angeles, Ventura, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, may experience business closures on Tuesday and Wednesday “due to increased wildfire risk.” I was warned that there would be. San Diego Gas & Electric is considering cutting off power to about 60,000 customers across much of interior San Diego County starting Tuesday.
The current red flag warning is limited to Los Angeles and Ventura counties, but National Weather Service officials said the warning could be extended to Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.
High wind watches remain in place for many areas of Southern California not included in fire weather warnings, and strong winds could disrupt power and traffic on Tuesday and Wednesday, including inland Orange County, the Inland Empire, and all of San Bernardino. Institutional disruptions are expected. , the mountains and valleys of Riverside and San Diego.
