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Southern California braces for first Santa Ana wind event of season, increasing late-week fire threat

Santa Ana wind events typically begin in September and October, usually peaking in December and January.

By Julian Atienza
Source FOX Weather

FILE: The Palos Fire in California engulfs a residence in flames

🔥 SPREADING FLAMES: The Palos Fire in Los Angeles continues to spread as a home in the area is engulfed in flames as firefighters work to save what they can. The Palos Fire is currently spread across 12 acres.

THE TAKEAWAY

  • The first Santa Ana wind event of the season will arrive over Southern California beginning Thursday.
  • An elevated wildfire risk covers Los Angeles and Santa Barbara.
  • Santa Ana wind events typically begin in September and October, usually peaking in December and January.

LOS ANGELES — The first Santa Ana wind event of the season will arrive over Southern California later this week, increasing the wildfire threat beginning Thursday. 

WHAT ARE SANTA ANA AND DIABLO WINDS?

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FILE - JURUPA VALLEY CA MARCH 14, 2024   Gusty Santa Ana winds toppled this Amazon box truck on the 60 Freeway east transition to the 15 Freeway north. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

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FILE - A large tree topples in Pasadena, California on March 14, 2024 during a Santa Ana wind event. (Pasadena Fire Department)

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FILE - Firefighters battle the Highland Fire in Aguanga, California, US, on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023. A wildfire fueled by gusty Santa Ana winds ripped through rural land southeast of Los Angeles, forcing about 4,000 people from their homes, fire authorities said.  (Photographer: Ethan Swope/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

A large area of high pressure is building over the Northwest, which will produce wind gusts over the Santa Ana mountains and across Southern California, including Los Angeles.

"As winds push over and down the mountain ranges across Southern California, the air will warm and dry, allowing temperatures to climb into the upper 80s and mid-90s," the FOX Forecast Center said. The combination of strong winds and low humidity is increasing the fire threat.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

An elevated wildfire risk covers parts of Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and Kern counties, including the Los Angeles and Santa Barbara metro areas along the coast on Thursday and Friday. Strong wind gusts could carry embers from any fires that spark, causing them to spread rapidly.

Wind gusts are expected to peak between 50 and 60 mph at higher elevations and between 40 and 50 mph along the coast.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT HIGH WIND WARNINGS

Winds are forecast to die down Saturday.

According to the FOX Forecast Center, Santa Ana wind events typically begin in September and October, usually peaking in December and January.

FILE - PACIFIC PALISADES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 13: An aerial view of homes destroyed in the Palisades Fire as wildfires cause damage and loss through the LA region on January 13, 2025 in Pacific Palisades, California. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

MARKING 1 YEAR AFTER THE PALISADES AND EATON FIRES

Santa Ana winds helped fuel the January 2025 Los Angeles Wildfire Disaster.

Check back for updates on this developing story.