Red flag warning issued for parts of Southern California amid triple-digit heat
A forecast of triple-digit heat coupled with gusty winds prompted the National Weather Service to issue a red flag warning for parts of Southern California.
The advisory will go into effect at 10 a.m. Tuesday and last until 3 p.m. on Friday. It applies to the following regions:
- Cuyama Valley
- San Luis Obispo County Mountains
- Santa Barbara County Interior Mountains
- North and South Ventura County Mountains
- I-5 Freeway corridor
- West San Gabriel Mountains
- Highway 14 corridor
"There is a significant risk of large plume dominated fires with rapid fire spread and extreme fire behavior," NWS wrote in its advisory. "There is a history of large plume dominated fires this time of year with similar weather and fuel conditions, including the Bridge, Bobcat, and Station fires."
Meteorologists forecast temperatures as high as 98 to 106 degrees across the lower mountain and foothill communities. Winds will hover around 15 to 25 mph, with gusts reaching 35 mph at times.
NWS said the strongest winds will be in the 5 Freeway and Highway 14 corridors. They predict winds in those areas to peak at about 40 mph between Thursday night and Friday morning.
The conditions pose a high risk for fast-moving fires.
NWS staff urged everyone to use extreme caution with anything that can spark a fire.
