Weather Service Warns of Elevated Fire Danger

Amid high temperatures, low humidity and unseasonably dry fuels, elevated fire-weather conditions are expected for the interior valley, mountain and desert portions of the Los Angeles area through Friday, the National Weather Service said.

“There will be continued elevated fire weather conditions across the interior through Friday due to heat, low (relative humidity), and gusty winds,” the NWS tweeted on Tuesday. “Fuels are unseasonably dry so please use extra caution with any source of ignition.”

Cal Fire issued a similar warning.

“CA continues to experience an increase in wildfires & acres burned compared to last year,” the fire agency tweeted. “`With hot temperatures & dry conditions across much of CA, it’s now more critical than ever that all Californians are prepared for wildfires.”

From September through the early parts of December, the Bobcat Fire burned 115,796 acres (46,861 ha) in the central San Gabriel Mountains and came dangerously close to Mt. Wilson Observatory.

Temperatures today in Pasadena were expected to be in the mid to high 80s for the rest of the week.

Winds were forecast to be generally in the 15 mph range, with gusts from 25 to 35 mph in the L.A. mountains and the Antelope Valley.

“High pressure aloft will dominate the region through Friday,” the NWS said. “This will lead to an extended period of very warm and dry conditions across the interior areas where highs between 90 and 100 and minimum humidities between 8 and 15 percent will be common.

“Onshore wind gusts between 20 and 40 mph will also be common each afternoon and evening across the interior, leading to elevated to brief critical fire weather conditions especially considering the unseasonably dry fuels.”

The weather service said the current moisture levels in fuels are more commonly seen in late July and August.

Cal Fire recommends visiting https://www.readyforwildfire.org/ for tips on how to prepare for wildfires.