Fire Danger Concern Soars as Mercury Heads to 91 Friday, Chaney Trail Is Closed

After several days of fall-like weather, higher temperatures and Santa Ana winds will return to the Southland this week, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a red flag warning of critical fire danger for much of the area from Friday morning through Saturday evening.

The Altadena Sheriff Station said that the U.S. Forest Service ordered the closure of the Chaney Trail above Altadena from Thursday through thru Sunday, October 17 at 6 a.m. due to red flag conditions.

Pasadena will likely be spared the problematic gusty winds expected elsewhere in the County and remains on “normal parking,” Green Flag status as of Friday morning, according to the city’s website.

“We are carefully monitoring the weather but don’t anticipate red flag activations specific to Pasadena at this point,” city spokesperson Lisa Derderian said earlier this week. “If the need exists we are are prepared to add additional staffing if conditions within the city warrant. Our personnel will be out and about in the community continuously assessing weather changes.”

The National Weather Service said Pasadena will be hot and dry this weekend, with temperatures at 9 1 Friday and 90 on Saturday. Sunday will cool considerably to 78.

People were urged to use extreme caution with potential fire ignition sources.

“A moderate Santa Ana wind event will develop over much of Los Angeles and Ventura counties beginning Friday morning and continuing into Saturday evening,” forecasters said.

Humidity levels in the single digits to low teens are expected, along with high temperatures between 80 and 90 degrees across coastal and valley areas.

“If fire ignition occurs, conditions are favorable for extreme fire behavior and rapid rate of fire spread which would threaten life and property,” the NWS said.

Here is a look at the detailed NWS forecast for Pasadena:

Today: Sunny, with a high near 91. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west southwest in the afternoon.

Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 62. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 90. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south southwest in the afternoon.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 58. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming east southeast after midnight.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 78. East southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south southwest in the afternoon.

Sunday Night: Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 49.

Monday: Patchy fog before noon. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 71.

Monday Night: Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 49.

Tuesday: Patchy fog before noon. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 71.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 50.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79.