The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning on Thursday, Nov. 5, for the Santa Clarita Valley, the Santa Monica Mountains and nearby ranges. It takes effect at 2 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, and runs until 6 p.m. that day.
A Red Flag Warning means fire weather is critical now or soon. Santa Ana winds, low humidity and dry brush together raise the chance that a new spark grows fast.
Where the Red Flag Warning applies
The NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard alert covers these areas:
- Santa Clarita Valley
- Western and Eastern Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area
- Santa Susana Mountains
- Western San Gabriel Mountains and the Highway 14 corridor
Forecasters expect the worst conditions late Friday night through Saturday. Santa Ana winds should strengthen and peak on Saturday, with gusts of 30 to 45 mph common in wind-prone parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Some reports cite isolated gusts of 45 to 55 mph.
Why the risk is high this weekend
Humidity should drop to between 8% and 20% by Saturday. In addition, the NWS says fuels remain critically dry even after some minor green-up from recent rains. So a fire that starts where plants are driest and winds are strongest could spread quickly and behave in extreme ways.
That said, the warning targets specific areas. It does not mean a fire has started, and the alert does not order anyone to leave.
What residents can do
The NWS asks people to use extreme caution with anything that can spark a wildfire. For example, that includes outdoor grills, power tools, cigarettes and parking on dry grass. People who live near wildland areas should be ready to evacuate if a fire breaks out.
The alert points residents to Ready for Wildfire and Wildfire Risk to Communities for preparation steps. Residents can also check that their phones receive local emergency alerts.
Wind and fire are not the only worry this season. The county is also running free sandbag events from Nov. 7 to Nov. 28 for the rainy months. For more local coverage, visit our Los Angeles and California hub.
Forecasts can change, so check the latest alert from the NWS before you plan weekend activities in the affected areas.