California faces hot, windy days that raise wildfire risk
The US National Weather Service has warned of strong Santa Ana winds and critical fire weather across south-west California through Saturday. Thousands of residents have had power cut to reduce the risk of sparks.
The US National Weather Service said on Thursday that south-west California faces strong, dry Santa Ana winds and critical fire weather conditions through Saturday. Under such conditions wildfires could spread very rapidly, and residents are being urged to prepare.
What forecasters expect
The dry winds could reach 20–40 mph (32–64 km/h). In the San Gabriel mountains in Los Angeles county and the Santa Susana mountains, mostly in Ventura county, gusts may hit 50–70 mph. Critical fire conditions are also forecast for part of the Santa Lucia mountains in San Luis Obispo county. The service also issued fire weather warnings for parts of central and northern California from Thursday through Friday morning.
Santa Ana winds are normal for this time of year, and elevated fire danger typically lingers in the state through November. But a recent storm surge battered the coast, and the start of autumn has already brought severe heatwaves, high surf and flooding. Experts say a potentially historic El Niño is brewing in the Pacific, with effects set to build through the end of the year and into next.
Preparedness and power shutoffs
In northern California, Pacific Gas and Electric Company began proactively switching off power on Wednesday night, leaving nearly 62,000 customers in 26 counties without electricity, to keep winds from toppling power lines and sparking fires. Thousands of people across the state were without power on Thursday.
Los Angeles Fire chief Jaime Moore said staffing has been increased and equipment pre-deployed. Kevin McGowan, director of the city's office of emergency management, urged residents to prepare for all hazards. The state's office of emergency services has stepped up coordination and readied resources.
In Los Angeles, strong Santa Ana winds fuelled the 2025 firestorm that killed more than 30 people and consumed more than 16,000 structures. The burn scars raise the risk of debris flows and landslides if severe storms arrive this winter. Climate scientist Daniel Swain said significant fire activity this week would be poorly timed, since a wet winter in southern California is now very likely.
