By SDCN Editor
Sacramento, CA–With dangerous winds and extreme fire weather forecasted through Thursday in Southern California, Governor Gavin Newsom has directed state departments to coordinate and strategically position fire engines, hand crews, aircraft, and additional support in key areas.
Specifically, Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, as well as other parts of Southern California, are expected to experience a “life-threatening and destructive” windstorm and extreme fire risk from Tuesday morning through Thursday due to high winds and low humidity.
“The state is taking early, proactive steps to coordinate with local partners to protect communities as dangerous weather enters our state. We are no strangers to winter-time wildfire threats, so I ask all Californians to pay attention to local authorities and be prepared to evacuate if told to go,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.
The state is prepositioning 65 local government fire engines, 7 water tenders, 7 helicopters, 9 dozers, and over 105 specialized personnel in Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties through the state’s Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid System, which is managed by Cal Office OES.
CAL FIRE will move firefighting resources from Northern California into Southern California, including 45 additional fire engines and six additional hand crews to Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties.
The state will coordinate with local fire departments, county emergency managers, and weather officials ahead of this extreme weather event while increasing public messaging to encourage overall community preparedness.
The National Weather Service said Ventura and Los Angeles Counties will experience winds above 60 miles per hour, with isolated gusts up to 100 miles per hour in a “life-threatening, destructive windstorm” beginning Tuesday, including areas of Los Angeles not typically affected by high winds.
The National Weather Service’s Los Angeles Office says high winds are expected in the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and foothills, as well as the San Gabriel and San Fernando Valleys. High winds could cause power outages, downed trees, and difficult travel, especially for high-profile vehicles.
Residents can sign up for free emergency alerts at ready.ca.gov. They can select cell or home phones, email, text messages, and TTY devices.
