A powerful Santa Ana wind event is sweeping across Southern California, bringing damaging wind gusts, hot temperatures, low humidity and critical fire weather conditions through Saturday. FOX Weather meteorologists Bob Van Dillen and Jane Minar analyze the dangerous threat and preview what’s ahead.
THE TAKEAWAY
Evacuations have been issued as multiple wildfires rage in Southern California.The first Santa Ana wind event of the season arrived Thursday.An elevated wildfire risk covers Los Angeles and Santa Barbara.Santa Ana wind events typically begin in September and October, usually peaking in December and January.
LOS ANGELES — Evacuations have been issued as multiple wildfires rage in Southern California amid the first Santa Ana wind event of the season.
The wind event is increasing the wildfire threat, which will peak through Friday afternoon.
WHAT ARE SANTA ANA AND DIABLO WINDS?
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FILE – JURUPA VALLEY CA MARCH 14, 2024 Gusty Santa Ana winds toppled this Amazon box truck on the 60 Freeway east transition to the 15 Freeway north.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
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FILE – A large tree topples in Pasadena, California on March 14, 2024 during a Santa Ana wind event.
(Pasadena Fire Department)
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FILE – Firefighters battle the Highland Fire in Aguanga, California, US, on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023. A wildfire fueled by gusty Santa Ana winds ripped through rural land southeast of Los Angeles, forcing about 4,000 people from their homes, fire authorities said.
(Photographer: Ethan Swope/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
A large area of high pressure is building over the Northwest, which will produce wind gusts over the Santa Ana mountains and across Southern California, including Los Angeles.
“As winds push over and down the mountain ranges across Southern California, the air will warm and dry, allowing temperatures to climb into the upper 80s and mid-90s,” the FOX Forecast Center said.
2 PILOTS KILLED IN HELICOPTER CRASH WHILE BATTLING WILDFIRE AT POPULAR NATIONAL PARK
The combination of strong winds and low humidity is increasing the fire threat.
The Peak Fire erupted in the hills north of Azusa in Los Angeles County, prompting evacuation orders and warnings for communities surrounding the blaze.
Farther south along the coast, the Henderson Fire in San Diego County near Camp Pendleton erupted on Thursday and burned more than 1,000 acres, threatening structures and power lines in the area, according to CalFire.
The Bryson Fire has also erupted, prompting evacuation warnings in Malibu, according to officials.
Weather pattern later this week.
An elevated wildfire risk covers parts of Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and Kern counties, including the Los Angeles and Santa Barbara metro areas along the coast on Thursday and Friday.
Strong wind gusts could carry embers from any fires that spark and allow them to spread rapidly in dry areas.
Fire Weather Warnings in place in California.
(FOX Weather)
While the rain from Rachel has kept the fire threat at bay around San Diego, the same cannot be said for Los Angeles and Ventura counties, which have remained dry for the last six months.
The FOX Forecast Center said these dry conditions, mixed with powerful winds, will set the stage for a potential dangerous fire threat. Any new fires that start could rapidly spread out of control.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has placed the State Operations Center into an enhanced readiness posture. Resources have been deployed and will remain in effect through Sunday.
The governor’s office said local fire officials are working to determine key staging locations and assignments based on conditions and operational needs.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT HIGH WIND WARNINGS
Wind gusts are expected to peak between 50 and 70 mph at higher elevations and between 40 and 50 mph along the coast.
Due to the windy conditions paired with dry, warm air, Fire Weather Warnings are present just north of Los Angeles up into Santa Clarita through Friday.
NWS Los Angeles upped their wording on the potential for fire weather, stating, “If a fire starts, extreme fire behavior and growth is expected.” Winds are forecast to die down Saturday.
According to the FOX Forecast Center, Santa Ana wind events typically begin in September and October, usually peaking in December and January.
FILE – PACIFIC PALISADES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 13: An aerial view of homes destroyed in the Palisades Fire as wildfires cause damage and loss through the LA region on January 13, 2025 in Pacific Palisades, California. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
MARKING 1 YEAR AFTER THE PALISADES AND EATON FIRES
Santa Ana winds helped fuel the January 2025 Los Angeles Wildfire Disaster.
Check back for updates on this developing story.