Dangerous winds return to Southern California as new wildfires break out [View all]

Source: Associated Press

Dangerous winds return to Southern California as new wildfires break out
Updated 10:58 AM EST, January 21, 2025

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dangerous winds returned to Southern California on Tuesday as firefighters battled new fires amid dry conditions, and a pair of major blazes burned for a third week in the Los Angeles area.

Forecasters warned that gusts could peak at 70 mph (113 kph) along the coast and 100 mph (160 kph) in the mountains and foothills during extreme fire weather that’s expected to last through Tuesday morning. Wind speeds ranged from 35 mph (56 kph) along the coast to 63 mph (101 kph) at elevation overnight, according to the National Weather Service.

The weather service warned of a “ particularly dangerous situation ” in Los Angeles, Ventura and San Diego counties due to low humidity and damaging Santa Ana winds.

“The conditions are ripe for explosive fire growth should a fire start,” said Andrew Rorke, a meteorologist with the weather service in Oxnard.

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Read more: https://apnews.com/article/california-fires-los-angeles-winds-red-flag-warnings-5e599783ebd34a446e5b6690e0ecc777