A red flag warning for critical fire weather in parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, issued by the National Weather Service, has been extended through 10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 24. Forecasters warn that these weather conditions, which include wind gusts and low humidity, create conditions where fire can spread extremely fast.
The warning is for places including the San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys, the Malibu coast, Calabasas and Agoura Hills and some areas in Ventura County, including the Southeastern and Central Ventura County Valleys, the inland coast and beaches.
The red flag warning had previously been in place through Thursday, Jan. 23, before the NWS extended the warning, stating that this critical fire weather will persist for another day.
“The primary driver for that (extension) is the very low relative humidity. Now, the winds are going to be weakening, but they’re still going to be gusting until Friday,” Philip Gonsalves, a meteorologist with the NWS said.
“We expect the strongest winds will be later on Thursday and that is going to be coupled with the lowest relative humidity. So that is when the threat will be the strongest, on Thursday afternoon.”
“Peak wind gusts of 35 to 50 mph will be common over much of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties,” an NWS statement said.
On Wednesday, Jan. 22, the Hughes fire broke out in Castaic amidst the red flag warning, spreading to over 9,000 acres by Wednesday evening as dry and windy weather affected the area.
Elsewhere in Southern California, a high wind warning is in place. Parts of Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties are under the high wind warning, which is less severe than a red flag warning.