SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — Firefighters battling wildfires in Southern California are finally getting a break, thanks to shifting weather conditions that are bringing much-needed relief.
For weeks, strong offshore winds and extremely low humidity have fueled dangerous fire conditions across Los Angeles County, including areas like Santa Clarita and San Fernando. On Thursday, winds weakened significantly, and even better news is on the way.
By Thursday night, an onshore flow will return, bringing in marine air and boosting humidity levels. Some mountainous areas remain under a Red Flag Warning until 3 p.m., and that could be extended depending on conditions. However, once the onshore winds fully kick in, firefighters will see a major shift in moisture levels.
Humidity, which has been stuck in the single digits, will surge to 80–90 percent overnight. That’s a game-changer for fire crews, as higher humidity helps slow fire spread and makes containment efforts more effective.
Despite challenging conditions, crews have managed to make progress in containing several active wildfires. The Palisades and Eaton fires both started on Jan. 7. The Palisades fire has ripped through 23,173 acres and the Eaton fire has burned through 14,117 acres, according to CAL FIRE. The Palisades fire is contained at 22 percent while the Eaton fire containment stands at 55 percent.
Wednesday’s lighter winds allowed for some additional containment. The only downside is that another wind event is possible from Monday to Wednesday next week. While it’s still unclear how strong the winds will be, it’s something fire officials will be watching closely.
For now, though, there’s reason to be optimistic. As a low-pressure system moves away, wind speeds will continue to drop, giving fire crews some much-needed relief heading into the weekend.
Meanwhile, in the Bay Area, it’s all blue skies and beautiful weather—a stark contrast to the fire conditions SoCal has been facing. However, you may still want to bundle up. The National Weather Service issued a frost advisory that is currently in effect through 9 a.m. Friday for inland valleys across the Bay Area and the interior Central Coast.
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — Firefighters battling wildfires in Southern California are finally getting a break, thanks to shifting weather conditions that are bringing much-needed relief. For weeks, strong offshore winds and extremely low humidity have fueled dangerous fire conditions across Los Angeles County, including areas like Santa Clarita and San Fernando. On Thursday, winds weakened […]
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