Fast Winds to Return and Threaten to Fuel Los Angeles Wildfires

As Los Angeles continues to face ongoing wildfires across the county, residents will need to remain vigilant over the weekend as high winds are expected to pick up again, per the National Weather Service.

Beginning Tuesday, Jan. 7, L.A. and Ventura Counties saw wind gusts of 50 to 80 mph, with isolated gusts up to 80 to 100 mph in the mountains and foothills. Once the winds crossed throughout the counties, “heightened wind activity and fire outbreaks” occurred. Since then, several fires have erupted, including the Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth, Sunset, Hurst and Lidia Fires.

As of Friday, Jan. 10, 11 people have died, and 180,000 people across Los Angeles and Ventura counties have evacuated from their homes since Tuesday, Jan. 7, per NBC News. Over 12,300 structures have been destroyed in the Eaton and Palisades fires. 

The region has seasonal average temperatures and the winds have improved, and temperatures are close to normal, with conditions being dry and mild. 

But, this upcoming weekend, weather reports predict a new bout of gusty Santa Ana winds will approach the region again, with predicted 35 to 50 mph winds and gusts up to 60 mph. The winds will once again elevate the fire danger — and even more so in areas with low humidity and dry air. This new “wind enhancements” will begin during the daytime on Saturday, Jan. 11 and peak in the evening and the early morning hours on Sunday, Jan. 12. By Monday, Jan. 13, the winds will lessen again.

Although wind conditions in the Los Angeles region are predicted to improve next week, the air quality still remains a risk. Additionally, the Coachella Valley could face air quality problems due to the upcoming winds.

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Ahead of the upcoming wind warnings, 21,317 acres have burned due to the Palisades Fire. As of Friday morning, the Palisades fire is 8% contained. The Eaton fire burned nearly 13,700 acres and is only 3% contained, per CAL Fire. 

Click here to learn more about how to help the victims of the L.A. fires.