Much of Los Angeles County will again be facing red flag critical fire conditions Thursday as a powerful and “particularly dangerous” Santa Ana wind event continues to combine with low humidity to raise the risk of wildfires.
Winds battered much of the region Wednesday, with the National Weather Service reporting peak gusts in the mountains reaching 75 to 85 mph, and 45 to 65 mph at lower elevations. The wind speeds tapered off as evening fell Wednesday, although gusts still reached up to 60 mph in the mountains.
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“Another offshore push” was expected to begin Thursday morning, forecasters said.
“With less upper support aloft the winds are not expected to be quite as strong as (Wednesday) morning but still expecting gusts to 60-plus in the mountains and below some of the favored canyons and passes in LA/Ventura counties,” according to the NWS. “High wind warnings are in effect through Thursday afternoon across much of LA/Ventura counties.”