Wind Advisories Issued for Freeways

Mother Nature blew a breath of rushing air across the San Fernando, Santa Clarita and Antelope valleys Monday, fanning a brush fire and prompting authorities to issue strong-wind advisories for area freeways.

Winds gusted to 38 mph in Saugus and 35 mph in Newhall during the moderate Santa Ana wind event that forecasters predicted would end tonight.

The high winds were the result of a high-pressure system over Utah and Nevada, said John Sherwin, a meteorologist with WeatherData Inc., which provides forecast information to The Times.

As winds blow from Nevada and Utah toward Southern California, they pick up speed as they travel over mountains and across valleys and canyons, Sherwin said.

“The mountains, canyons and passes force the wind to travel through narrow channels, much like when you put your finger at the end of a garden hose to make the water come out faster,” Sherwin said.

The winds are expected to die down today, he said, when high pressure builds over Southern California, neutralizing the Santa Anas. On Monday, however, they affected firefighters and freeway motorists.

A wildfire scorched two acres near the Ronald Reagan Freeway and Browns Canyon Road north of Chatsworth in unincorporated Los Angeles County, said Art Marrujo, a county fire dispatcher.

Firefighters fought the flames in a rocky region for about an hour before bringing them under control, Marrujo said.

No injuries or property damage were reported from the blaze, which broke out at 8 a.m., he said.

The California Highway Patrol issued strong-wind advisories for Highway 14 in Santa Clarita from the Golden State Freeway to Ward Road in Acton and for Sierra Highway at Sand Canyon Road. The advisories cautioned drivers of campers, trailers and wide-load vehicles to use alternative routes.

Authorities reported no wind-related incidents.