Southern California braces for first Santa Ana wind event of season, increasing late-week fire threat
The first Santa Ana wind event of the season will arrive over Southern California later this week, increasing the wildfire threat beginning Thursday.
THE TAKEAWAY
LOS ANGELES — The first Santa Ana wind event of the season will arrive over Southern California later this week, increasing the wildfire threat beginning Thursday.
WHAT ARE SANTA ANA AND DIABLO WINDS?
A large area of high pressure is building over the Northwest, which will produce wind gusts over the Santa Ana mountains and across Southern California, including Los Angeles.
"As winds push over and down the mountain ranges across Southern California, the air will warm and dry, allowing temperatures to climb into the upper 80s and mid-90s," the FOX Forecast Center said. The combination of strong winds and low humidity is increasing the fire threat.
An elevated wildfire risk covers parts of Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and Kern counties, including the Los Angeles and Santa Barbara metro areas along the coast on Thursday and Friday. Strong wind gusts could carry embers from any fires that spark, causing them to spread rapidly.
Wind gusts are expected to peak between 50 and 60 mph at higher elevations and between 40 and 50 mph along the coast.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT HIGH WIND WARNINGS
Winds are forecast to die down Saturday.
According to the FOX Forecast Center, Santa Ana wind events typically begin in September and October, usually peaking in December and January.
MARKING 1 YEAR AFTER THE PALISADES AND EATON FIRES
Santa Ana winds helped fuel the January 2025 Los Angeles Wildfire Disaster.
Check back for updates on this developing story.
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