Strong Winds Roar Through Malibu

The strong winds that entered Malibu Wednesday evening will stick around through Friday afternoon. Other areas in Los Angeles County have reported damage and power outages, but Malibu has so far been spared. However, the situation is extremely dangerous, and residents should remain cautious and smart.

The wind speed today could reach 55 mph with gusts as high as 80 mph, according to the National Weather Service. These winds are capable of "downing trees and power lines, knocking down outdoor objects, creating flying debris and causing dangerous driving conditions especially for high-profile vehicles," according to the NWS' website. 

With the relative humidity level at 10 to 20 percent, the chance of a fire is significant. A Red Flag Warning is in effect for the Malibu area and most of Los Angeles and Ventura counties through Friday at 6 p.m. The smallest flame could lead to a giant blaze. Remember, the 2007 Corral Fire began with one campfire that got out of control, burned down 53 homes and wrecked people's lives. Be smart.

The winds should calm by Friday afternoon, although strong gusts as high as 40 mph could continue through the weekend.