Santa Ana Winds To Bring 'Critical' Fire Danger To Orange County

SANTA ANA, CA — Dry, powerful winds coupled with low humidity were expected to rip into Southern California beginning Tuesday evening, striking the possibility for another fire season.

From Ventura to San Diego counties, red flag and high wind warnings were set to take place beginning Tuesday night according to the National Weather Service. In Orange County, the following cities were under a high wind warning: Santa Ana, Anaheim, Garden Grove, Irvine, Orange, Fullerton and Mission Viejo.

“This is going to be the biggest event this season,” David Sweet, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard, told the Los Angeles Times.

The wind event was expected to knock out power, ignite fires and make travel difficult in some areas.

"People should avoid being outside in forested areas and around trees and branches," the National Weather Service said. "If possible, remain in the lower levels of your home during the windstorm, and avoid windows."

Ahead of the wind event, temperatures were also expected to drop dramatically. On Sunday, Los Angeles County issued a cold weather alert for several areas, including the Santa Clarita Valley, through Tuesday. Extremely cold weather poses a danger to vulnerable populations, officials said.

“Children, the elderly, and people with disabilities or special medical needs are especially vulnerable during cold weather. Extra precaution should be taken to ensure they don’t get too cold when they are outside,” said Muntu Davis, Los Angeles County Health Officer. “There are places where people can go to stay warm, such as shelters or other public facilities."

Muntu also warned that people should not use stoves, barbeques or ovens to heat their homes due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Parts of Los Angeles County, including the L.A. County Mountains, will be under a high-fire-danger red flag warning from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday though the strong winds — fueled by high pressure building into the Great Basin — were expected to begin Tuesday night. And from 7 p.m. Tuesday through to 7 p.m. the warning was issued Wednesday for the Santa Clarita and San Fernando valleys, the Malibu coast, the Santa Monica Mountains and much of Ventura County.

Winds in those areas will range from 25 to 45 mph, with gusts from 65 to 75 mph expected.

"A combination of strong winds and low relative humidity can contribute to extreme fire behavior," the NWS said Monday. "Use extreme caution with potential fire ignition sources."

In San Diego County, a high wind warning was set to take effect from 7 p.m. Tuesday to 7 p.m. Wednesday. Meanwhile, in Riverside County, gusts in excess of 60 mph were possible. A high wind warning was set to take effect from 7 p.m. Tuesday to 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Another round of Santa Anas is anticipated in Riverside County Friday and Saturday, though that wind event is expected to be weaker than the upcoming one.

"Damaging winds will be possible in the favored Santa Ana wind corridors, especially below the Cajon Pass, through that portion of the Inland Empire to the Santa Ana Mountains and nearby areas," the NWS said in a statement Monday. "Peak gusts of 60 mph are expected, with localized gusts in wind-prone canyons to 70 mph."

AccuWeather meteorologists said Tuesday that the massive wind event will bring "quite a few risks."

"These howling and often dangerous winds occur due to high pressure sitting over the Great Basin. Winds rotate clockwise around the high pressure, which sends these northeasterly winds down through the mountains and canyons, picking up speed as they traverse downhill toward the coast," forecasters wrote.

AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Heather Zehr said recent rainfall — about 1.77 inches — in Southern California will likely lower some risk of fire danger. But Zehr warned that locally drier areas still exist, which will raise fire danger.

Peak fire risk is expected later Wednesday afternoon, when humidity levels are at their lowest and after winds have had time to dry out the ground.
"The flow out of the mountains will cause the air to dry out, leading to relative humidity values in the teens for a time, mostly on Wednesday," Zehr said.

Wind events like these typically lead to downed trees and power lines, enhanced wildfire risk, dangerous crosswinds and power outages, according to weather experts. Gusts will also have the ability to make travel difficult for high-profile vehicles and winds could possibly knock them over.

"Damaging winds will blow down large objects such as trees and power lines," the weather service warned. "Power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles."

Cal Fire and the National Weather Service offered tips to stay safe this week:

• Never mow or trim dry grass on a Red Flag Warning Day. (Mow before 10 a.m. on a day when its not hot and windy).
• Never use lawn mowers in dry vegetation.
• Spark arresters are required in wildland areas on all portable gasoline powered equipment.
• Secure loose objects.
• Plan now for power outages.
• Folks near wildland interfaces, review your evacuation plans in case a fire breaks out.

• Before starting a campfire, make sure you have a campfire permit and that they are permitted on the land you are visiting.
• Afterwards, ensure that your campfire is properly extinguished.
• Residents should make sure they have 100 feet of defensible space around structures.
• Clear dead weeds and vegetation.
• Remove leaves and needles from gutters.
• Trim branches 6 feet from the ground.
• Never pull over in dry grass.
• Ensure trailer chains don't drag on the ground.
• Make sure your vehicle is properly maintained.
• Have proper tire pressure to avoid driving on wheel rim.
• Never let your brake pads wear too thin.
• Make sure cigarette butts are properly extinguished.
• Never burn landscape debris like leaves or branches on NO Burn Days or when it's windy or areas where not allowed.
• Target shoot only in approved areas, and never at metal targets.
• Report any suspicious activities to prevent arson.

The County of Los Angeles Public Health also offered tips to stay warm during a cold weather event:

• Dress in layers of warm clothing if you plan to be outdoors.
• Protect head, hands and feet from the cold by wearing a hat, scarf, gloves and socks.
• Check on and help family members, friends and neighbors with limited mobility and limited access to heat, such as seniors or those who are ill. Check on them frequently.
• If you have pets, bring them indoors and do not leave them outside overnight.

Take shelter during peak cold times:

• The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority has a Winter Shelter Program available for those who need shelter. Locations and transportation information here or by calling the LA County Information line at 2-1-1 from any landline or cell phone.

City News Service contributed to this report.