First Santa Ana winds of season bring fire danger to L.A. Thursday and Friday

Key Points:

• Southern California will experience its first Santa Ana wind event of the season starting Wednesday, with sustained winds of 20-40 mph and gusts up to 70 mph in mountain areas between Thursday afternoon and Friday afternoon, increasing wildfire risk in parched Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
• Humidity levels are expected to be very low (5%-15%) with high temperatures ranging from 85 to 95 degrees, creating dry and warm conditions that heighten fire danger, especially in areas west of the 405 Freeway which received little to no recent rainfall.
• The National Weather Service has issued red-flag warnings for most of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, and Southern California Edison is considering public safety power shutoffs affecting over 220,000 customers to mitigate wildfire risks.
• While the fire risk is less severe than the January 2025 event that led to devastating fires, some pockets in western Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties remain highly vulnerable due to dry vegetation and strong winds.
• In addition to fire threats, the region will face heat risks with coastal temperatures reaching the 90s, raising concerns about heat illness, especially in areas lacking air conditioning.