Heat, winds raise fire danger, prompt red flag warning
Gusty winds, low humidity and expected high temperatures Wednesday prompted the National Weather Service to issue a red flag warning from Ventura to Orange counties.
The conditions were considered a “high fire weather concern,” the weather service said.
Forecasters said winds could reach up to 40 mph in mountain areas with gusts up to 65 mph later in the day. Isolated gusts up to 75 mph could blow over western peaks, forecasters said.
Winds could reach up to 60 mph in the coastal foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains. In the canyons, winds could reach 25 mph with periodic gusts up to 40 mph.
The high winds have prompted fire and police agencies to remind the public to be prepared should a wildfire break out and to drive safely through high-wind areas.
The Los Angeles Fire Department said it had called in 107 off-duty firefighters to allow a quick response by ground and air to any sudden wildfire threat, officials said.
The red flag warning will remain in effect until 6 p.m.
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