Warm weather, low relative humidity heightens brush fire concerns

Warm temperatures and low relative humidity were recorded Tuesday across interior areas of Southern California, heightening brush fire concerns, the National Weather Service said.

In Lancaster, the temperature was 102 degrees with relative humidity dropping to 9%. In the San Gabriel Mountains, Chilao reached a high of 90 degrees with relative humidity at 15%.

Palm Springs topped out at 114 degrees, with relative humidity dropping to 6%, according to the Weather Service. In the San Bernardino National Forest, Big Pines recorded a high of 85 degrees and relative humidity of 15%.

In Santa Barbara County, “sundowner” winds with gusts up to 30 mph are expected Wednesday night and Thursday across the southern coastal and foothill areas. The sundowners have been the cause of numerous devastating fires along the region’s mountainous east-west coastline, bringing heavy Santa Ana-like winds around sunset. L.A. NOW