Fierce and “damaging” Santa Ana winds could bring the “worst of the worst” fire conditions to Southern California starting Monday, forecasters warn.
Ferocious winds will be increasing once again for Los Angeles and Ventura counties, with gusts between 60 and 70 mph, amid low humidity, Fox Forecast Center Meteorologist Cody Braud told The Post on Sunday.
“A strong Santa Ana Wind event is expected to develop Monday and last through at least Tuesday,” the National Weather Service added in a red flag warning Saturday.
“Along with the extremely dry fuels, this will create a high risk for critical fire weather conditions and rapid fire spread with any new fires.”
Offshore winds are predicted throughout most of the week, too, though Monday’s and Tuesday’s gusts are expected to be the strongest.
The entirety of Southern California down to San Diego is expected to fall in the category of “critical fire conditions,” a step below “extreme,” Braud said.
Communities from Santa Barbara to San Diego are under a fire-weather warning through 10 p.m. Tuesday.
“If fire ignition occurs, conditions are favorable for extreme fire behavior and rapid fire growth, which would threaten life and property,” the NWS warned, according to FOX Weather.
The news comes as firefighters are still working to contain the deadly wildfires that claimed at least 27 lives this month and torched more than 12,000 structures across 40,000 acres.
Of the two remaining blazes in Southern California, the Palisades Fire is up to 52% contained, and the Eaton Fire is 81% under control.
