Dangerous winds, critical fire weather continues for Southern California

LOS ANGELES (KTLA) – Fire officials have deployed all available resources and prepositioned crews in fire-prone areas as much of Southern California remains under a red flag warning overnight.  

In a record fifth alert involving critical fire conditions this season, a Santa Ana windstorm the National Weather Service refers to as a “particularly dangerous situation,” residents, especially those in high-risk fire zones, are urged to stay vigilant through at least 10 a.m. Tuesday morning when the worst of the winds are forecast to subside.  

Peak wind speeds could reach 50 to 70 mph along the coasts and valleys, with some mountain and foothill gusts topping between 60 and 100 mph. 

Areas of particular concern in L.A. County include the northern San Fernando and San Gabriel Valleys, Malibu Calabasas and the Santa Clarita Valley, as well as Altadena, Pasadena and areas from La Crescenta to Porter Ranch.  

At least three wind-driven wildfires broke out Monday, one at Griffith Park, another along the 405 Freeway in Granada Hills, which heavily impacted traffic, and another Riverside County.  

As of 8:30 p.m., the weather service reported on some of strongest gusts to hit the following regions:  

• Western San Gabriel Mountains at 74 miles per hour 

• Santa Susana Mountains at 61 miles per hour 

• Los Angeles County/San Gabriel Valley at 60 miles per hour 

• Santa Clarita Valley at 54 miles per hour 

“It’s just really scary,” Simi Valley resident Michael Peralta told KTLA’s Chris Wolfe. “I grew up here in the valley and it seems like the winds are getting stronger.”  

Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristan Crowley, as well as L.A. County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone, have both stated that crews are prepositioned and that staffing levels for this windstorm are higher than what the city activated during the Jan. 7 conditions that supercharged the Eaton and Palisades fires.  

“The vegetation is critically dry,” Chief Crowley added. “Everyone here urges the community to stay alert.”  

Residents in fire-prone areas are also urged to pay attention to parking restrictions, which are issued to allow for rapid response and emergency access to hillside communities in case of fire.