An increased danger of more wildfires will persist Thursday, Friday and possibly through the weekend because of strong winds, low humidity and the region’s heat wave.
“Elevated fire danger is expected to persist through late in the week and possibly through the weekend. Low humidity and gusty south to southwest winds will combine with hot temperatures each afternoon and evening through Friday,” according to the National Weather Service.
The region’s strongest winds are expected in the San Gabriel Mountains, with gusts of between 25 and 35 mph, the Santa Clarita Valley, where gusts are expected to swirl at between 25 and 30 mph, and the Antelope Valley, where gusts of between 40 and 45 mph are forecast, although there could be 50-mph gusts near Lake Palmdale.
“The potential for rapid growth and extreme fire behavior will continue, for existing fires and for any new fire that occurs,” the statement said. “Extreme caution is advised in all activities that take place in or near brushy areas.”
NWS forecasters said monsoonal moisture will move into the area from the southeast this week, creating a slight chance of afternoon and evening thunderstorms Saturday and Sunday across the mountains of Los Angeles and Ventura counties and in the Antelope Valley.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued a heat alert that will be in effect through at least Friday for the San Fernando Valley and through at least Saturday for the Antelope Valley. A heat alert will be in effect Friday for Pomona and the Santa Clarita Valley.
County health officials warned residents to take precautions against the heat, particularly older adults, infant and children and those who participate in outdoor activities.
The NWS forecast a combination of sunny and partly cloudy skies in Los Angeles County today and highs of 76 in Avalon; 78 at LAX; 86 in Long Beach; 87 in downtown L.A.; 91 on Mount Wilson; 94 in San Gabriel; 96 in Burbank; 97 in Pasadena; 100 in Saugus; 102 in Woodland Hills; 107 in Palmdale; and 108 in Lancaster.
In Orange County, sunny skies were forecast, along with highs of 77 in Newport Beach; 79 in San Clemente; 81 in Laguna Beach; 88 in Irvine and Mission Viejo; 89 in Anaheim; 91 in Fullerton; and 94 in Yorba Linda.
Temperatures were expected to decline slightly over the next several days. They’ve been running around 8 degrees above normal in valley areas, said NWS weather specialist Stuart Seto.
—City News Service