Red Flag Warning

...RISK FOR RAPID FIRE GROWTH AND EXTREME FIRE BEHAVIOR WITH ANY NEW FIRE STARTS, ESPECIALLY LATE FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY...

.Weak to moderate Santa Ana winds will be on the increase, peaking on Saturday. During the peak, gusts of 30 to 45 mph will be common in the typical wind-prone areas of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. Meanwhile, the air will warm and dry, with minimum humidities in the 8 to 20 percent range common by Saturday. Fuels remain critically dry despite some minor greenup from recent rains. There is a high risk for fast-moving fires where the plants are driest and the winds are strongest, which this targeted Red Flag Warning addresses.

The National Weather Service in Los Angeles/Oxnard has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from 2 AM to 6 PM PST Saturday.

* AFFECTED AREA...Santa Clarita Valley, Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, Santa Susana Mountains and Western San Gabriel Mountains.

* TIMING...From 2 AM to 6 PM PST Saturday.

* WINDS...Periods of northeast 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 45 mph. Isolated gusts of 45 to 55 mph possible.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Minimums of 8 to 20 percent. Poor overnight recoveries.

* IMPACTS...If fire ignition occurs, conditions are favorable for extreme fire behavior which would threaten life and property.