California faces more extreme weather as hot, windy days raise wildfire risk
Warnings come as Californians have already in autumn felt brutal heatwave and storm surge that battered coast
TL;DR
- California is experiencing dangerous weather with strong winds and high temperatures, increasing the risk of rapid wildfire growth.
- Moderate to strong Santa Ana winds are expected in Southern California through Saturday, with gusts up to 70mph in some mountain areas.
- Critical fire weather conditions are forecast for several mountainous regions, including Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
- A brewing El Niño is expected to contribute to more extreme weather impacts through the end of the year and into next year.
- The combination of fire threats, heat, and sea level rise, alongside El Niño effects, prompts calls for residents to prepare for all hazards.
- Utilities like Pacific Gas and Electric are proactively shutting off power to thousands of customers in Northern California to prevent wildfires sparked by windblown power lines.
- Emergency services and fire departments are increasing staffing, pre-deploying equipment, and coordinating resources to respond to potential disasters.
- Climate scientists warn that significant fire activity during this period could further complicate predictions for a potentially wet winter in Southern California.