Los Angeles, currently reeling from severe wildfire damage, has been placed under an extraordinary wind warning as concerns arise that gusts reaching 70 miles per hour may exacerbate fire conditions.
The National Weather Service has issued a fourth warning, classified as a ‘particularly dangerous situation,’ that will take effect at 4 a.m. on Tuesday and is expected to persist until noon on Wednesday.
A significant portion of the city, particularly from Ventura across the majority of the San Fernando Valley, is included in this new alert, while regions extending from San Diego to San Bernardino are under standard red flag warnings.
This latest warning follows three previous alerts this fire season that resulted in substantial disruption, including the ongoing Palisades and Eaton fires, which have been categorized among the deadliest in California’s history.
Areas surrounding Malibu and the Pacific Palisades are also encompassed by the new warning.
Tragically, these fires have claimed the lives of at least 24 individuals and resulted in the destruction of over 12,000 structures.
Meteorological assessments indicate that the unusual drought conditions have rendered the region exceedingly susceptible to fires as high winds approach.
The last significant rainfall recorded in downtown Los Angeles occurred in May 2024, with only 0.16 inches of precipitation noted since October 1.
This figure starkly contrasts with the historical average of 5.34 inches expected by this time, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
Climatologist Bill Patzert remarked that the past nine months represent one of the driest periods in recorded history since 1900.
He further noted that during his professional career, he has not witnessed Santa Ana events of this intensity overpowering the traditional winter rain season.
The Daily Mail reported further that in each of the three previous instances of ‘particularly dangerous situation’ fire warnings being issued this season, the resulting blazes brought devastation to the area.
The first in November, the Mountain Fire in Ventura County, burned almost 20,000 acres and razed over 240 buildings.
The next month the Franklin fire hit Malibu and destroyed 20 buildings, before the Palisades and Eaton fires this month came and marked the most dangerous and destructive yet.
According to the LA Times, the ‘particularly dangerous situation’ alert was traditionally only used by the National Weather Service for particularly devastating tornadoes.
