California braces for dangerous fire weather and power cuts

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 06:32 · Archive

California faces dangerous fire weather from Thursday to Saturday, with thousands potentially losing power as utilities attempt to prevent wildfires.

Large areas of California are bracing for dangerous fire weather conditions starting Thursday and lasting through Saturday. Hot, dry northeast winds known as Santa Anas are expected to reach 20 to 40 mph with gusts of 50 to 70 mph, particularly in mountain regions including the San Gabriel mountains in Los Angeles County and the Santa Susana mountains in Ventura County. Thousands of people are expected to lose power as utilities shut off supplies in an effort to prevent wildfires during these hazardous conditions.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said she has directed the fire department to deploy personnel and equipment ahead of the winds and has requested assistance from the state's office of emergency services. Rose Schoenfeld, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, described the situation as 'a pretty widespread event of elevated fire weather', adding that the whole Southern California region should be on alert.

Dangerous conditions began earlier in Northern California, with some communities in the Sierra Nevada and its foothills experiencing strong winds, high temperatures and low humidity starting Wednesday night. Critical fire weather conditions are also forecast for portions of the Santa Lucia mountains in San Luis Obispo County.

How it is being reported

• Hot weather and winds raise California wildfire threat as power shutoffs startCalifornia is bracing for fire weather, with thousands potentially losing power as utilities aim to prevent wildfires during hot and windy conditions.Clickorlando · 15 Oct, 05:08
• Hot weather and winds raise California wildfire threat as power shutoffs startCalifornia is bracing for fire weather, with thousands potentially losing power as utilities aim to prevent wildfires during hot and windy conditions.News4Jax · 15 Oct, 05:08

In this story: California · Los Angeles · Karen Bass · National Weather Service · Ventura County · San Luis Obispo County

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