The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning Thursday, Nov. 5, for the Santa Monica Mountains and surrounding areas starting Saturday.
The NWS alert takes effect at 2 a.m. and runs through 6 p.m. PST Saturday, Nov. 7. It covers the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, Santa Clarita Valley, Santa Susana Mountains and Western San Gabriel Mountains.
The warning calls for sustained northeast winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 45 mph. Isolated gusts of 45 to 55 mph are possible in mountainous terrain. Minimum humidity is forecast between 8% and 20%, with poor overnight recovery.
The agency noted that fuels remain critically dry despite some minor greenup from recent rains.
Rich Thompson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard, told the Los Angeles Times residents can expect a "weak to moderate Santa Ana wind across Southern California." Conditions are developing late Thursday and continuing through the weekend, with winds expected to peak Saturday.
Heat adds to fire danger
The winds will also drive temperatures well above normal for November. Thompson said forecasts call for "widespread upper 70s and 80s." The weather service noted highs near 90 could be common, with the warmest readings along the coast, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Downtown Los Angeles was projected to reach 87 degrees Sunday, Nov. 8. Santa Monica was slightly cooler at a projected high of 84, according to the weather service.
October fires underscore risk
The last round of Santa Ana winds fueled several fires across Southern California, including the 570-acre Norte fire in San Clemente, the Los Angeles Times reported. The paper noted that each red flag warning brings reminders of the 2025 Palisades and Eaton fires in Los Angeles.
The NWS warning states that if a fire starts during the warning period, conditions would be favorable for extreme fire behavior that could threaten life and property.
What residents should do
The NWS advises residents near wildland areas to be prepared to evacuate if a wildfire breaks out. The LAFD's Ready, Set, Go program urges residents to maintain defensible space around their homes, prepare an emergency supply kit and have an evacuation plan before conditions worsen.
Do not wait for an official evacuation order, the LAFD advises. If you feel threatened, evacuate early.
Residents can sign up for city emergency notifications through Notify LA and follow LAFD updates at lafd.org/alerts.
