Strong and “particularly dangerous” Santa Ana wind conditions battered much of Southern California Wednesday, dramatically raising concerns of wildfires and prompting precautionary power outages for thousands of residents.
Forecasters said wind gusts had already been clocked Wednesday morning at speeds topping 70 mph in the San Gabriel Mountains, providing a taste of the conditions that are expected to continue into Thursday.
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“A very strong, widespread, and long-duration Santa Ana wind event will bring widespread Extremely Critical fire weather conditions to many areas of Los Angeles and Ventura counties into Thursday, according to the National Weather Service, which called the forecast a “Particularly Dangerous Situation red flag warning event in many areas.”
The strongest winds were anticipated Wednesday “when widespread damaging wind gusts of 60 to 80 mph are likely in the mountains and foothills of Los Angeles and Ventura counties (including the Santa Monicas and Santa Susanas), with isolated gusts of 80 to 100 mph possible in favored areas of the San Gabriels. Similar winds are expected once again in the mountains Thursday night.”
“For wind prone coastal and valley areas of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, damaging gusts of 50 to 70 mph will be likely (including the Malibu coast and Ventura County coastal plain),” according to the NWS. “Due to the strong upper level wind support, typical wind sheltered areas such as portions of the L.A. basin all the way to the coast, Lake Casitas and Ojai, as well as the Channel Islands and Catalina Island are expected to see gusty north to northeast winds with associated red flag conditions.”
Forecasters said humidity levels are expected to drop to 8% to 15% by Wednesday afternoon, continuing into Thursday, giving the region a dangerous combination of dry, windy conditions.
Red flag warnings of critical fire conditions will be in effect:
— Until 6 p.m. Thursday in the Antelope Valley
— Until 11 a.m. Friday in the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, San Gabriel Mountains and the 14 Freeway corridor, with a “Particularly Dangerous Situation red flag warning” in effect in those areas until 9 a.m. Thursday
— Until 11 a.m. Friday in the 5 Freeway corridor
— Until 6 p.m. Thursday in the Santa Clarita Valley, Malibu Coast and San Fernando Valley, with a “Particularly Dangerous Situation red flag warning” in effect in those areas until 4 p.m. Wednesday
— Until 6 p.m. Thursday in Calabasas, Agoura Hills, the Antelope Valley Foothills and the San Gabriel Valley
— Until 6 p.m. Thursday for Catalina Island, L.A. County beaches, Palos Verdes Hills and the county inland coast, including downtown Los Angeles
Orange County coastal areas will be under a red flag warning until 6 p.m. Thursday, while the Santa Ana Mountains will be under red flag warnings from 4 a.m. Wednesday until 6 p.m. Thursday.
“This is a dangerous fire weather event. Any new fires in the red flag warning area will have rapid fire spread, extreme fire behavior, and long range spotting,” forecasters said.
Due to the forecasted winds, the California Highway Patrol announced that Topanga Canyon Boulevard will be closed to non-residents between Mulholland Drive and Pacific Coast Highway from 6 a.m. Wednesday until 6 a.m. Friday. The CHP also issued a wind advisory throughout the Antelope Valley, including the 14 Freeway from Ward Road to the Kern County line, urging caution by people driving high-profile vehicles or campers or hauling trailers.
The Los Angeles Unified School District closed the Topanga Elementary School on Wednesday as a precaution, instructing students to report instead to Woodland Hills Academy. It was unclear if that campus closure would continue on Thursday.
As is typical with Santa Ana wind events, Southern California Edison officials warned that some residents may be subjected to “Public Safety Power Shutoffs,” in which electricity is cut to some areas experiencing particularly high winds to reduce the possibility of fires being sparked by damaged equipment.
As of late Wednesday morning, power had been cut to more than 12,800 SCE customers in Los Angeles County and nearly 4,000 in Orange County, according to the utility’s website.
Another 48,200 customers in L.A. County were being warned about possible power cuts, and another 4,200 in Orange County.
Residents in particularly wind- and fire-prone areas were urged to take precautions.
“With widespread critical fire weather conditions impacting Southern California, the County of Los Angeles Fire Department has implemented its augmented staffing plan by ordering additional staffing and pre deployment of ground and aerial resources throughout Los Angeles County,” Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone said in a statement. “It takes cooperation, communication, and community action to ensure the safety and survival of residents living in wildfire-prone areas. I urge residents to take appropriate precautions and be familiar with the Ready! Set! Go! program and Know Your Zone platform.”
County Sheriff Robert Luna said his agency is also “actively preparing for this significant weather event.”
“We are fully equipped and ready to respond to any emergency incidents that may arise in our communities,” Luna said. “We encourage residents in high-risk areas to be prepared for the unexpected and be ready to evacuate with essential items such as important medications, documents, and personal belongings.”
Authorities urged residents to be prepared by ensuring cell phones and other devices are fully charged with their ringers audible in case of emergency alerts. Residents should also have working flashlights within reach, and prepare for the possibility of evacuations if fires do erupt.
Residents can also sign up for emergency notifications through alert.lacounty.gov.