California fires forecast: ‘Dangerous’ wind conditions begin early Tuesday

As strong winds in Southern California pick up further early Tuesday, a “specially hazardous situation” with a red flag warning will be in effect for western Los Angeles County and most of Ventura County, weather officials said.

The warning begins at 4 a.m. local time. Winds are expected to gust between 45 mph to 70 mph, with relative humidity as low as 8%.

These strong winds and dry conditions will likely continue to fuel the historic wildfires raging in Southern California.

The largest, the Palisades fire, had spread to nearly 24,000 acres as of late Monday with only 14% containment, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Thousands of firefighters are battling the blaze across 45 square miles of densely populated Los Angeles County.

Winds overnight and early Tuesday have gusted up to 67 mph in the mountains near Los Angeles. The West San Gabriel Mountains have experienced wind gusts up to 67 mph, with the Central Ventura County Valley hit around 66 mph.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, the strong Santa Ana winds will come in periods.

The strongest gusts are expected on Tuesday morning and first in the afternoon, which will then be followed by a break in the evening. More wind is expected on Wednesday morning.

It has been so dry that any spark could produce a larger fire that would grow explosively. The weather in Los Angeles last year and the beginning of this year has been the second driest water year on record. Water years are recorded from October 1 to September 2, with records dating back to 1877.

After Wednesday, the wind will begin to die down, and on Friday and Saturday the humidity will increase slightly. There is a very slight chance of a shower Friday through Saturday in Southern California.