Risk of Wildfires Is High Today

A red flag warning indicating a high risk of wildfire due to high winds and low humidity was in force today in the San Fernando Valley.

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The warning was scheduled to be in effect until 9 tonight in the Valley. National Weather Service forecasters said northeast winds between 15 and 30 miles per hour, with gusts of up to 50 mph, would blow through the red flag zones amid humidity levels ranging from 4 to 15 percent.

The Los Angeles Fire Department pre-deployed extra firefighters at staging areas in communities at high risk of brush fires, predominantly in the San Fernando Valley and Hollywood areas.

Nine water-tender vehicles, each carrying 1,000 gallons of water, were staffed and ready to deploy. Also, additional personnel were assigned to fire stations to cover normal firefighting assignments while extra patrols were on the lookout for brush fire problems.

The NWS forecast highs today of 77 in Palmdale; 81 at LAX; 86 in Saugus, 87 in downtown L.A., Burbank and Pasadena; and 91 in Woodland Hills.

Thursday’s temperatures are expected to be the same or a few degrees higher.

--City News Service

PHOTO Patch file photo.