Critical Wildfire Danger Warning Issued As Santa Ana Winds Threaten LA

LOS ANGELES, CA — Another widespread windstorm described as life-threatening and dangerous by forecasters is set to batter Los Angeles County this week.

According to the National Weather Service, dangerous north to northeast winds will heighten the chances for fast-spreading wildfires starting Tuesday and possibly lasting until Friday. Forecasters predict Santa Ana wind gusts could reach speeds of 60 to 80 mp, with some ridgetops seeing 90 mph winds.

"Confidence is high for a life-threatening, destructive, widespread windstorm Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning, especially focused on the L.A. County mountains and foothills, San Gabriel Valley, San Fernando Valley, Hollywood/Beverly Hills, and Simi Valley," according to the weather service.

Red flag warnings of critical fire danger will take effect at 4 a.m. Tuesday, and remain in place until 6 p.m. Thursday for the Malibu coast, the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, the San Gabriel Valley, the San Fernando Valley, Calabasas, the Santa Clarita Valley, the San Gabriel Mountains, and the Golden State (5) and Antelope Valley (14) freeway corridors.

At 4 p.m. Tuesday, the warning will extend to include Los Angeles County beaches, the Palos Verdes Hills and the inland Los Angeles County coast, stretching into downtown Los Angeles.

"If fire ignition occurs, conditions are favorable for very rapid fire spread and extreme fire behavior, including long range spotting, which would threaten life and property. There will be the potential for downed trees and power lines, as well as power outages," forecasters said.

Forecasters warned particularly of the possibility of "breaking mountain waves."

"These occur when very strong winds aloft intercept mountain tops at nearly perpendicular angles, which will happen with these events," according to the NWS. "These short lived and very difficult to predict events can cause considerable local damage wherever they occur. The most likely areas for this phenomena are the eastern San Fernando Valley and the northern San Gabriel Valley.

Humidity levels are also expected to drop, most notably on Wednesday, creating dry conditions that could amplify the fire danger.

Forecasters said that despite the Santa Ana winds, temperatures across the region could actually fall by 5 to 10 degrees on Tuesday due to the amount of cold air accompanying the system. But the temperatures will bounce back on Wednesday, recovering those 5 to 10 degrees.

Due to the warning, the California Department of Transportation will close Topanga Canyon Boulevard between Mulholland Drive and Pacific Coast Highway in the Santa Monica Mountains starting at 10 a.m. on Tuesday through Friday afternoon.

During that time, only residents and local business traffic will be allowed into the canyon.

City News Service contributed to this report.