A red flag warning will go into effect Thursday and into the weekend because of expected gusty winds and low humidity in the Santa Monica Mountains around Malibu.
The red flag warning will begin at 8 p.m. Thursday and continue until 2 p.m. Saturday.
Santa Ana winds of 25 to 45 with gusts up to 65 are expected Thursday night through Saturday. The winds will weaken to 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph Friday and into Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.
A wind advisory will also be in effect starting at 8 p.m. Wednesday through Thursday. A high wind warning will be in place from 8 p.m. Thursday to 6 p.m. Friday.
On Wednesday, a peak wind gust of 61 mph was recorded in the Malibu Hills, according to the NWS.
Humidity will lower to 5 to 10 percent each afternoon, forecasters warned.
"Critically dry fuels will create an environment favorable for rapid fire growth," the NWS reported.
A red flag warning means critical fire conditions are in place.
