Strong and gusty Santa Ana winds, low humidity and high temperatures will persist Friday, with a red flag warning denoting a strong risk of wildfire in effect in Riverside County mountains and valleys.
The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning that went into effect at 10 a.m. Thursday in the mountains and valleys and lasts until 10 p.m. Friday. The NWS also issued a high wind warning for the county mountains and valleys as well as the San Gorgonio Pass near Banning that remains in effect until 6 p.m. Friday.
No advisories were issued for the Coachella Valley.
Along with low humidity levels, the strong Santa Ana winds blowing north to northeast are to blame for the fire danger, with winds of 20 to 30 mph in the forecast and gusts near 55 mph possible near the Cajon Pass, according to the NWS. Humidity was expected to drop to 3-8 percent Friday.
Fuels are very dry and fires will grow rapidly and be difficult to control upon ignition, according to the Santa Ana Wildfire Threat Index.
Warm seasonal temperatures were also expected to add to the potential fire danger. High temperatures Friday will be 76 to 83 near Riverside, around 79 degrees in Temecula and 58 to 68 in Idyllwild, NWS forecasters said.
With the heightened fire danger, authorities recommended that residents avoid outdoor burning and have emergency preparedness kits in order.
“An emergency can happen at any time,” a forecaster said in a statement on the Santa Ana Wildfire Threat Index Website. “Clean debris away from your house. Charge your cell phone and make sure you have plenty of gas.”
Low humidity with poor overnight recover will continue through at least the middle of next week and another round of gusty Santa Ana winds are expected Sunday and Monday, NWS forecasters said.