Santa Ana winds return, worsening Los Angeles fires
During Tuesday and Wednesday, authorities have issued two PDS (Particularly Dangerous Situation) advisories for areas affected by the fires.
Image of the Hollywood Boulevard fire.
Weather conditions in Los Angeles County are not siding with firefighters. This Tuesday and into Wednesday there are strong dry winds that are rekindling the flames.
They are known as the Santa Ana winds, which appear when cold air builds up in the states of Nevada and Utah, California's neighbors. As this air mass moves westward and then over the California mountains, it heats up and dries out.
Strong Santa Anna winds will blow from the northeast, at sustained speeds of 30 to 40 mph, with gusts likely to reach between 55 and 75 mph. The winds will bring very dry air, with humidity levels of only 10% or less.
Winds will be strong enough to allow fires to continue spreading rapidly, so two PDS (Particularly Dangerous Situation) red flag warnings have been reissued for Ventura and Los Angeles counties.
Those advisories were issued by California authorities and the National Weather Service as of this Monday. The warnings remain in effect until Wednesday. Authorities are urging extreme caution, not to engage in any activity involving flames or sparks and to be prepared for an emergency evacuation.
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