'Extreme' Fire Conditions Expected In SoCal; 60 Mph Gusts Forecast

LOS ANGELES COUNTY — The Southland is bracing for dangerously dry and windy conditions Tuesday, as parts of the region are under a red flag warning while cleanup from the devastating and deadly wildfires that ravaged the area earlier this month continues.

The warning was in effect until 10 p.m. Tuesday for most of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, according to the National Weather Service. A fire weather watch was in effect from Tuesday evening through late Thursday due to gusty Santa Ana Winds and low humidity.

The service warned Tuesday of “dangerous fire weather conditions” through Thursday or Friday.

Northeast winds of 20-30 mph and isolated gusts up to 60 mph were expected to peak early Tuesday afternoon. Winds were forecast to weaken overnight but pick up again Wednesday afternoon.

Humidities were predicted to be as low as under 10 percent over much of the area.

“If fire ignition occurs, conditions are favorable for extreme fire behavior and rapid fire growth, which would threaten life and property,” according to the weather service.

A red flag warning was also in effect until 8 p.m. Thursday for the Inland Empire and inland Orange County, with gusts of up to 40 mph expected Wednesday afternoon and overnight to Thursday morning.

Public safety power shutoffs were in effect mid-day Tuesday for 63,924 SCE customers and 16,530 SDGE customers, and over 300,000 customers were at risk for the shutoffs, according to the utility providers.

Officials urged residents to review their evacuation plans and make sure emergency kits are stocked with needed items should they have to evacuate.

Red-flag parking restrictions went into effect at 8 a.m. Monday and will remain in effect until further notice, aimed at keeping streets clear in high fire danger areas to accommodate people trying to evacuate and fire crews trying to respond to blazes.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued a windblown dust and ash advisory through 10 p.m. Tuesday. Officials advised residents to stay indoors, and to wear protective masks and eye-wear upon stepping out.

Containment of the 14,021-acre Eaton Fire grew to 89 percent Tuesday, aided by water-dropping helicopters, which continued extinguishing hot spots in steep, inaccessible canyons near Winters Creek, Mt. Lowe and Mt. Wilson before a new wind event moves into the region.

The 23,713-acre Palisades Fire was 63 percent contained.

President Donald Trump said Saturday that he will ``probably'' travel to California this week to view the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles County.

Together, the fires have killed at least 27 people and destroyed at least 14,362 structures. As of Sunday, more than 8,300 firefighting personnel were engaged in the efforts to fight the blazes.

City News Service contributed to this story.