Santa Ana Conditions Prompt Wildfire Vigilance

• Winds Are Not as Strong as Last Week’s But Danger Is Still High •

BY ANNE SOBLE

The National Weather Service said a strong ridge of high pressure in the upper atmosphere along the West Coast and surface high pressure settling in the Great Basin were bringing hot, dry Santa Ana conditions to the Santa Monica Mountains and the rest of Southern California Wednesday and Thursday. Offshore winds gusted over 50 mph in a number of locations, according to the NWS.

Authorities posted warnings for high fire danger due to strong winds and low humidity for all areas from the mountains of Santa Barbara County southeast through Los Angeles County and the Inland counties to San Diego.

The strongest winds clocked in Malibu on Wednesday ranged from 25 to 30 mph, but winds ranging from 40 to 50 mph were reported in the Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley areas, which means that extra vigilance on the part of residents along the western coastline is required.

Malibuites are urged to remain on smoke alert and report suspicious activity or conditions in brush areas to 911.

Early Wednesday morning, a flareup occurred in smoldering vegetation within the Porter Ranch burn zone. It was brought under control in a little over an hour.

Several wildfires in San Bernardino County on Wednesday kept firefighters busy in that area. One of the blazes was reportedly caused by fireworks. Firefighters contained that fire and moved quickly to make short work of other small incidents that occurred.