Santa Ana winds arrive, raising fire and heat danger in Los Angeles area

A Santa Ana wind system will begin Wednesday and intensify Thursday, delivering sustained breezes of 20-40 miles per hour and gusts reaching 70 miles per hour in the mountains across Southern California. With humidity levels between 5% and 15% and daytime highs of 85-95 degrees, fire conditions are expected to be severe, prompting red-flag warnings for most of Los Angeles and Ventura counties. The western portion of the Los Angeles metro area, which received little rain, faces the greatest wildfire threat, while areas east of the 405 freeway are somewhat mitigated by recent precipitation.

Southern California Edison has warned that it may cut power on four major circuits in Malibu starting Thursday night to reduce ignition risk. Additional wind advisories highlight the potential for downed lines, road hazards and power outages, and health officials warn of heightened heat-illness risk along the coast where temperatures will climb into the 90s.