Southern California faces life-threatening windstorm and fire danger
- Weather officials have issued high wind and red flag warnings for Southern California starting Tuesday.
- Expect gusts of wind up to 100 mph in some areas, posing a severe risk of wildfires.
- Residents are urged to stay indoors and prepare for potential power shutoffs due to fire risks.
In Southern California, weather officials have warned of an impending windstorm characterized as life-threatening and potentially the most destructive in over a decade. The National Weather Service has declared multiple warnings, including a red flag warning and a high wind warning, to take effect on Tuesday due to strong Santa Ana winds. This warning highlights an extreme risk for fire weather conditions across parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, where damaging gusts could reach up to 80 mph, and even 100 mph in isolated higher elevations. Beginning Tuesday, the high winds combined with low humidity levels and dry vegetation raise the threat of wildfires significantly. The weather service has issued a rare, particularly dangerous situation red flag warning, emphasizing the potential for rapidly spreading fires due to the extreme fire behavior anticipated in these conditions. Cal Fire has mobilized additional resources, deploying 45 extra engines to Southern California to respond to any possible emergencies arising from the windstorm. In anticipation of severe conditions, local school districts, such as the Santa Monica and Malibu Unified School District, have announced school closures for Malibu schools. Meanwhile, Topanga Canyon is closed to non-residents to ensure public safety. The city's officials are urging residents to remain indoors and away from windows as powerful gusts may cause damage, including downed trees and widely disrupted power lines leading to potential outages. The weather forecast underscores how Southern California has faced increasingly dry conditions, particularly during a winter that usually sees significant rainfall. This dryness, compounded by a months-long drought affecting Los Angeles County, further exacerbates the risk of wildfires. Energy companies have prepared for this debilitating event by warning about potential public safety power shutoffs in heavily affected areas, intending to minimize the risk of igniting fires during this critical period of heightened fire danger.