Santa Ana Winds bring fire concerns to California ahead of Thanksgiving

Water flows from a floor fountain on the plaza in front of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and Music Center in downtown Los Angeles on Friday, Nov. 12, 2021. | Damian Dovarganes, Associated Press

It’s a dry week in Southern California, with a risk of fire danger

A wind advisory has been issued in Southern California for Nov. 21 and Nov 22 as winds reached 60 miles per hour, according to the National Weather Service.

A red flag warning for critical fires, which coincided with the wind advisory, is in effect in Los Angeles and Ventura County.

• The warning means that warm temperatures combined with very low humidity and stronger winds can increase the risk of fire danger, per the National Weather Service.

Southern California also issued a dust advisory because of high winds.

• Los Angeles, Ventura and San Bernadino experienced winds up to 55 mph, per the Los Angeles Times.
• Wind gusts at the San Gabriel Mountains reached up to 70 mph.

The report states that Tuesday will bring a break in the wind gusts for most of the regions but they may start again come Wednesday.

• “By late Wednesday morning or early afternoon, we start to see another Santa Ana event that goes through at least Saturday and will reach its peak in the evening or Thanksgiving morning,” said Stefanie Sullivan, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in San Diego, told the Los Angeles Times.

The National Weather Service recommends avoiding any activity that can spark a fire and using extra caution while driving.

• With no rain in the forecast, it is likely to be a dry holiday break with the possibility of another red flag warning.