Red Flag warnings issued as Santa Ana winds sweep through SoCal over weekend: Wildfires erupt
Another round of Santa Ana winds descended on the Southland Saturday, combining with reduced humidity levels to create conditions susceptible to wildfires.
A red flag warning is in place from 8 a.m. Saturday to 3 p.m. Sunday for most of Ventura and Los Angeles County, according to the National Weather Service.
Forecasters said areas under the red flag warning will experience winds of 25 to 40 mph, gusting to 60 mph, with some isolated gusts of 70 mph possible in wind-prone areas. Winds will be strongest in the San Gabriel and Santa Monica mountains and the 14 Freeway corridor, according to the NWS.
The gusting winds will be accompanied by humidity levels of 6% to 15%, with the driest conditions anticipated Sunday.
Ventura County brush fire
A Ventura County evacuation order went in place Saturday morning for areas of Somis near La Loma Road as crews work to extinguish the brush fire.
By Saturday afternoon, the South Mountain brush fire grew to 742 acres, burning in gusty conditions, according to Ventura County Fire.
"Fire crews continue working to protect structures and infrastructure within the fire area," VCFD posted to X.
Cabazon brush fire
Crews are battling a 65-acre fast-moving brush fire in Cabazon Saturday. The fire was reported around 9:20 a.m., and by the afternoon, the Riverside County Fire Department issued an evacuation warning for the area east of Magnolia Street, north of Hurley Flats Road, west of Almond Street and south of Esperanza Avenue.
