A day after firefighters got a reprieve with lighter winds than expected, gusts were hitting up to 35 mph on the coast and valleys and 55 mph in the mountains before dawn, National Weather Service meteorologist Todd Hall said. They were expected to increase up to 10 mph through the morning.
“This is really just the last push of these winds here today," Hall said. "Hopefully, if we get through today we’re gonna have some better conditions for late week, especially into Friday and Saturday.”
The Eaton Fire burning just north of Los Angeles and the Palisades Fire that destroyed much of the seaside LA neighborhood of Pacific Palisades broke out Jan.7 in conditions similar to what’s expected Wednesday. High winds last week pushed flames at remarkable speed and carried fire-sparking embers sometimes miles away.
The weather service issued red flag warnings — indicating temperatures are warm, humidity is low and strong winds are expected — from 3 a.m. to 3 p.m. from the Central Coast 275 miles south to the border with Mexico.
More than 90,000 households were without electricity Wednesday morning as utilities shut off power to prevent their lines from sparking new blazes.
