Santa Ana winds expected in southern California through the weekend

Santa Ana Threat Index

Above: the Santa Ana Wildfire Threat Index.  The conditions for Sunday are highlighted on the map.

Firefighters in southern California could be busy over the next few days with Santa Ana winds in the forecast through Sunday. The winds have already started, and caused a new fire on Vandenberg Air Force Base on Thursday to grow quickly pushed by a strong breeze out of the north. Firefighters stopped the fire after it burned 204 acres.

The most severe wildfire conditions will occur on Sunday with “marginal” to “high” threats from Ventura County south to San Diego County, according to the Santa Ana Wildfire Threat Index.

Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches for September 23, 2016.
Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches for September 23, 2016.

Today there are Red Flag Warning in effect for areas in southern California and along the front range of Colorado.

The Red Flag map was current as of 11 a.m. MDT on Friday. Red Flag Warnings can change throughout the day as the National Weather Service offices around the country update and revise their forecasts and maps. For the most current data visit this NWS site. However, that site has not been properly displaying warning areas in recent days. This one may work better.

Typos, let us know HERE, and specify which article. Please read the commenting rules before you post a comment.

Author: Bill Gabbert

After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire.