Red Flag Warnings Issued for Southern California

Southern California faces critical fire weather conditions as red flag warnings have been issued across Los Angeles and Ventura counties due to strong winds and low humidity levels. Wind gusts are expected to reach between 50 to 70 mph in the mountains and between 30 to 50 mph in the valleys, exacerbating the risk of rapidly spreading wildfires. Firefighters remain vigilant as they monitor smoldering hot spots from recent fires, including the devastating Palisades Fire, and residents are still under evacuation orders in some areas. While the current wind event is significant, it is not as severe as previous historic storms, offering some hope for containment. A cooling trend with higher humidity is anticipated to begin later in the week, potentially easing fire conditions. However, meteorologists warn that dry conditions and gusty winds may return early next week, necessitating continued caution.