Red Flag Warning Issued; High Fire Danger

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning and residents are urged to take precautions to prevent wildfires.

The warning comes as dry Santa Ana winds with low humidity hit Southern California and the Inland Empire beginning at 11 p.m. tonight through 2 p.m. Thursday.

"Wind prone areas will begin to dry out this evening with drying spreading to the valleys and coatal areas overnight," the Weather Service stated in an urgent fire weather message issued today.

Winds of 15 to 20 miles per hour with local gusts of 35 to 40 mph were expected overnight, the Weather Service advised.

"Local gusts to 45 mph are possible in the windiest spots," the message stated.

Humidity will likely be in the 10 to 15 percent range by early Thursday, and winds should rapidly decrease by Thursday afternoon, according to the Weather Service. Weak offshore winds and dry conditions may persist through the weekend.

"A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now . . . or will shortly," the Weather Service cautioned. "A combination of strong winds . . . low relative humidity . . . and warm temperatures will create explosive fire growth potential."

According to Cal Fire, such weather events may result in extreme fire behavior and a Red Flag Warning is the highest alert.

“During these times extreme caution is urged by all residents, because a simple spark can cause a major wildfire,” according to the Cal Fire website.