Warm and dry conditions combined with gusty offshore winds have prompted the National Weather Service to issue a red flag warning for the Santa Monica Mountains. The warning will be in effect from 8 p.m. on Wednesday until 5 p.m. on Thursday, with a possible extension through Friday.
Northeast winds are expected to sweep through the region, hitting around 40-55 miles-per-hour in the mountains. The winds will dry out the area, with the relative humidity predicted to drop to near or below 10 percent. The dry and windy conditions create a high danger for fires.
“The combination of gusty winds, hot temperatures and a very dry air mass will likely bring critical fire weather conditions to the valleys and mountains of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties Wednesday and Thursday, and possibly Friday,” a warning issued by the National Weather Service stated.