A rare red flag warning has been issued for Southern California as a powerful windstorm threatens to ignite wildfires due to the region's prolonged drought.
By January, Southern California usually has experienced enough rain that a major winter wind event does not bring fears of a major fire. But not this year. More than eight months without any measurable rainfall, Southland officials are gearing up for what is expected to be a 'life-threatening and destructive' windstorm. The winds will last several days and occur in areas well beyond the region's typical wind corridors — with the potential to drag the area's fire season into January.
“This upcoming event is extreme,' said Capt. Erik Scott, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Fire Department. “Many people think that when the winter months come they might be out of fire danger and that’s simply not true, especially in Southern California.' Gusty, dry winds — some that could reach up to 100 mph — are forecast across much of Los Angeles and Ventura counties beginning Tuesday, and are expected to elevate the threat for fast-moving wildfires and also cause damage to trees, powerlines and even high-profile vehicles. A rare, late-season red flag warning describing 'widespread, damaging ... and long-duration' fire weather conditions has been issued for the region through at least Thursday, with a possibility that it could be extended to Friday. This is the first January since 2021 that the National Weather Service's Los Angeles office has issued such an alert. “It’s not a common occurrence,' said Rich Thompson, a weather service meteorologist, of the January red flag warning. But he said it does happen, particularly 'at times in our drier winters.' And so far, Southern California is experiencing one of its driest starts in years to what is supposed to be the rainy season. Downtown Los Angeles hasn't seen recorded over a tenth of an inch of rain since May 5. “We can’t let our guard down in Southern California,' said Brent Pascua, a battalion chief for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. 'This year, we haven’t seen as much moisture.
Wildfires Windstorm Drought Southern California Red Flag Warning
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