The National Weather Service said the wildfires raging in Southern California are at increased risk of spreading rapidly as stronger winds and warmer weather move into the region.
A red-flag warning has been issued for Riverside, San Bernardino and inland Orange County from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, November 21; and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Humidity is expected to drop during those periods.
“Any new fire will have a rapid spread rate, long range spotting up to 2 miles ahead of the fire, flame length up to 60 feet,” forecasters said.
Winds were expected to intensify on Saturday, peaking on Sunday morning and then weakening inland on Sunday afternoon, including the Santa Ana Mountains and Cleveland National Forest. The maximum temperature is expected to be 78 to 83 degrees on Sunday.
Winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts of 45 to 55 mph were forecast with isolated gusts of 60 to 65 mph below the Cajon and San Gorgonio Passes and near the coastal foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains .
In Los Angeles County, high temperatures of 86 were expected on Sunday and 83 on Monday. Wind gusts of 5 to 10 mph are expected.
Lower temperatures are expected on Tuesday and Wednesday as the weak weather system moves into the area, but another Santa Ana wind condition is possible from Wednesday, the weather service warned.
Fire officials urged people to avoid activities that could start a fire, including mowing rocky fields and parking dry vegetation on roads. The website readyforwildfire.org provides information on creating an evacuation plan and receiving emergency updates.
Meanwhile, a dust advisory was issued for non-desert parts of the Riverside, San Bernardino and Los Angeles County valleys and all parts of Orange County for Sunday, warning that high winds could create air quality conditions. which are unhealthy for vulnerable groups.
