Community Corner

Santa Anas Arrive With Strong Winds, Low Humidity

A red flag warning is in effect in Malibu and the Santa Monica Mountains through Saturday afternoon.

Wind gusts as high as 43 mph were recorded at Leo Carrillo Beach and 57 mph in the Malibu Hills as Santa Ana winds arrived in the region.

A red flag warning is in effect through Saturday afternoon in Malibu and the nearby Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, according to the National Weather Service. The humidity was expected to be around 10 to 20 percent Friday morning, lowering to 5 to 10 percent by Friday afternoon.

"Gusty northeast winds and low humidity will bring critical fire weather conditions to lower elevation areas through Saturday afternoon,'' according to an NWS advisory. "If fire ignition occurs, the combination of fire weather conditions and very dry fuels will create the potential of rapidly spreading wildfire.''

Find out what's happening in Malibuwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Santa Anas were expected to bring gusts up to 65 mph in the mountains and canyons, forecasters warned.

A wind advisory is in effect until 6 p.m. Friday in Malibu, where winds could reach between 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph, the weather service reported. 

Find out what's happening in Malibuwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The gusty winds could make driving difficult on Pacific Coast Highway and the 101 Freeway, according to the NWS.  

On Thursday, the Los Angeles County Fire Department in concert with the sheriff's department activated the Los Angeles County Operational Area Emergency Operations Center because of the red flag warning and high winds.


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