LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Much of Los Angeles County was under another red flag warning today thanks to anticipated gusty winds and low humidity levels raising the possibility of dangerous wildfires.
The fire conditions will stretch beyond Los Angeles County, with the red flag warnings stretching into Santa Barbara, San Luis Obsipo and Ventura counties, lasting through Tuesday.
“Moderate to strong northeast to east winds will continue to develop and expand today (Monday), strongest over areas that typically see offshore winds, but also impacting some areas that usually do not,'' according to the National Weather Service. “The strongest winds are expected later this (Monday) afternoon and tonight when gusts between 30 and 50 mph will be common over parts of all four counties, except for gusts between 50 and 70 mph expected over some foothills and the Los Angeles and Ventura County Mountains.''
Humidity levels are expected between 8% and 15% over most of the affected area, dropping even lower by Tuesday.
“With the current state of the extremely dry fuels, moderate to strong winds, and low humidities, red flag warnings will be in effect over most areas by this afternoon and continue through Tuesday,'' according to the NWS.
The warning took effect Monday morning and will remain in force until 10 p.m. Tuesday in the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, Los Angeles County Mountains, Angeles National Forest, the coastal area stretching into downtown Los Angeles and the Santa Clarita, San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys. Inland Orange County will also be under a red flag warning until 10 p.m. Tuesday, affecting Santa Ana, Anaheim, Garden Grove, Irvine, Orange, Fullerton and Mission Viejo, as will the Santa Ana Mountains.
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