Relentless Santa Ana Winds to Continue Raging Through Southland

Much of the Los Angeles area resembled a war zone Wednesday as at least four major fires raged unchecked, leaving five people dead and destroying hundreds of structures, driven by the worst Santa Ana winds to hit the region in more than a decade — winds that were expected to continue into Friday.

“Gusty offshore winds and low humidities will continue through Friday for Ventura and Los Angeles counties,” according to the National Weather Service. “Through Thursday morning, north to northeast wind gusts of 30 to 55 mph will be common across typical the typical Santa Ana wind locations, strongest across the mountains and foothills. Thursday afternoon into Friday morning, winds will increase with gusts of 30 to 40 mph across coasts and valleys, and 50 to 60 mph gusts common across mountains and foothills with isolated gusts up to 70 mph possible across the highest peaks.

“Winds will peak Thursday evening into early Friday morning, however will not be as expansive nor as strong as this previous event. Humidity levels of 10 and 20 percent are expected, potentially lowering into single digits in some areas into Friday.”

The winds were fueling multiple brush fires in the L.A. area, the largest being a nearly 16,000-acre blaze in Pacific Palisades. Another massive brush fire in the Eaton Canyon area above Altadena claimed five lives, while other blazes raged in Sylmar and Acton.

NWS forecasters said the windstorm was the worst to hit the region since 2011.

In the vicinity of the Eaton Fire burning near Altadena and Pasadena, classes were canceled Wednesday for schools in the Pasadena, Glendale, Alhambra, South Pasadena, San Marino, La Cañada, Burbank, Arcadia and Monrovia unified school districts.

Glendale and Pasadena schools will all remain closed for the rest of the week.

Universal Studios Hollywood and the adjoining Universal CityWalk were also closed for the day Wednesday due to the wind and fire conditions.

NWS officials warned residents to be prepared for the possibility of downed trees and power poles and hazardous driving conditions, particularly for big rigs and other high-profile vehicles. The winds could also result in air travel delays and turbulence. Forecasters also advised residents to stay away from windows and trees once the winds start, park cars away from trees, and to prepare for possible power outages by charging all electronic devices ahead of time and ensure generators are prepared.

As is standard during high-fire-danger conditions. Southern California Edison customers in some areas could have their power turned off under the utility’s Public Safety Power Shutoffs program. The program is designed to de- energize power lines that could potentially be damaged and spark a wildfire during red flag conditions.