Santa Ana winds prompt red flag brush fire warning

The National Weather Service is warning that the expected onslaught of fierce Santa Ana winds on Friday will heighten the threat of brush fires.

The dry, gusty winds prompted the weather service to issue a red-flag warning for Ventura and Los Angeles counties. The warning signifies critical brush-fire conditions.

The warning is in effect from 8 p.m. Friday to 6 p.m. Saturday. Gusts in the mountain areas were expected to be 60 mph to 70 mph, the agency said. The winds could gust up to 55 mph in valley and coastal areas.

The dry weather, along with low relative humidities, are expected to continue through Sunday.

-- Robert J. Lopez, Los Angeles Times

Graphic: Overview of Santa Ana winds. Credit: National Weather Service