Red Flag Warning NOW in Effect

A red flag warning denoting a high risk of wildfires was in force in much of Southern California today because of high winds and low humidity amid unseasonably high temperatures.

The wind is expected to blow hard in Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties as humidity levels dip below 15 percent—first near the coast, then at higher elevations. The windiest locations will be swept by 40-mile-per-hour winds gusting at 65 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

In these conditions, "extreme fire behavior is possible if fire ignition occurs," warned an NWS advisory.

A red flag warning will be in effect from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. along the coast, in beach cities, on L.A.'s Westside, in metropolitan Los Angeles, downtown, the Hollywood Hills, the San Fernando, San Gabriel and Santa Clarita valleys, the San Gabriel and Santa Monica mountains and the Angeles National Forest.

The red flag warning will also cover Orange County coastal areas, the Santa Ana Mountains and portions of the Cleveland National Forest.

The strongest winds are expected this morning—75-mph gusts are possible—and the humidity could plummet to 8 percent in some areas of the Southland, NWS forecasters said.

Although no red flag warning was immediately issued for beyond Wednesday, Thursday remains a matter of concern, according to the weather service.

The wind could make driving difficult, particularly for high-profile vehicles through the Interstate 5 corridor in the San Gabriels, the Antelope Valley (14) Freeway, Highway 33 in Ventura County and, in the Santa Monicas, Kanan Road, Topanga Canyon Road and Malibu Canyon Road, warned an NWS advisory.

Because of fire weather conditions, parking restrictions will be imposed in Pasadena from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. to ensure emergency vehicles can access remote areas.

The city's red flag parking restrictions will apply on narrow or winding roads in areas that border surrounding wildlands. The restrictions are intended to keep small streets clear of vehicles that might otherwise prevent fire crews from maneuvering trucks to fire scenes.

No similar parking restrictions were immediately imposed in Los Angeles, where they are occasionally employed in the Hollywood Hills.

The NWS forecast sunny skies today and highs of 56 on Mount Wilson; 63 in Palmdale, 64 in Lancaster; 70 in Saugus, 74 in Newport Beach, Pasadena, San Gabriel and Burbank; 75 in Avalon and Woodland Hills; 77 in Anaheim; 79 at LAX; 80 in Long Beach; and 81 in downtown L.A.

—City News Service