Weather may still create problems for firefighters
Though lighter Santa Ana winds reduced fire danger late Sunday, meteorologists warned fire officials to remain on high alert for the next several days because of hot and dry conditions.
Reduced winds also means poor air quality is likely to continue.
"We will continue to see warm and dry conditions at least though midweek," said Todd Hall, senior meteorologist with the National Weather Service. "Winds will be lighter, but it is still going to create some dangerous fire conditions for firefighters on the line."
Winds out of the east and northeast were expected to decrease overnight to 15-25 miles per hour and continue decreasing to 10-20 mph Monday and to 5-15 mph into Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. During the rapid spread of the Triangle Complex fire Saturday, winds were blowing 30-44 miles per hour.
Temperatures are expected to remain in the 80s and 90s today and Tuesday. Relative humidity is expected to hit single digits again this afternoon, increasing to 20-30 percent tonight and dropping below 15 percent Tuesday during the day.
Reduced winds also means poor air quality is likely to continue.
"We will continue to see warm and dry conditions at least though midweek," said Todd Hall, senior meteorologist with the National Weather Service. "Winds will be lighter, but it is still going to create some dangerous fire conditions for firefighters on the line."
Winds out of the east and northeast were expected to decrease overnight to 15-25 miles per hour and continue decreasing to 10-20 mph Monday and to 5-15 mph into Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. During the rapid spread of the Triangle Complex fire Saturday, winds were blowing 30-44 miles per hour.
Temperatures are expected to remain in the 80s and 90s today and Tuesday. Relative humidity is expected to hit single digits again this afternoon, increasing to 20-30 percent tonight and dropping below 15 percent Tuesday during the day.
The earliest reprieve will be Thursday, when we may seem some more
dramatic cooling," Hall said. "But the situation changes day by day, so
we have very low confidence for forecasts for the end of the week."
Tuesday afternoon could bring a sea breeze to lower elevations. While this might bring cooler temperatures and help moderate conditions with some potential moisture, it could also trap smoky air.
Wind strength and direction will determine how long the smoke lingers. If the fires are contained, and Santa Ana winds from the east diminish gradually, then the smoke will make its way out to the ocean where it will dissipate, according to Sam Atwood, spokesman for the South Coast Air Quality Management District.
However, if the wind direction changes quickly from offshore to onshore, then the smoke that has already blown over the ocean could be brought back to the entire Los Angeles Basin, he said.
The situation could be exacerbated if a marine layer develops and traps pollutants and smoke, Hall said.
The AQMD forecast continued poor air quality Monday in the San Gabriel Valley and throughout Los Angeles County. Officials expect to issue Level 2 smog alerts.
Hall said he expects poor air quality will continue until midweek.
The AQMD warned anyone directly affected by smoke -- meaning they can see it or smell it -- to avoid vigorous outdoor activity or indoor exertion.
"If conditions tomorrow are similar to what they (were Sunday), then schools should think about not having kids exercise outside, including sports practices," Atwood said Sunday. "Individuals should not be exercising vigorously outdoors for the next couple of days."
As long as smoky conditions continue, the AQMD warns people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children to remain indoors.
Everyone in smoky areas should keep windows and doors closed unless it is extremely hot inside, under which circumstances they should seek shelter elsewhere.
People with air conditioners should run them with the fresh air intake closed and the filter clean to prevent bringing additional smoke inside.
The majority of the smoke people are breathing is from trees and brush, but when homes and buildings burn, toxic materials that are part of their construction burn as well, Atwood said.
People with asthma and heart disease can experience "very significant" short term effects, including increased attacks, visits to the emergency room and hospitalization, Atwood said.
Health experts and studies have not shown any long-term effects of short-term exposure to wildfire smoke.
staff report
Tuesday afternoon could bring a sea breeze to lower elevations. While this might bring cooler temperatures and help moderate conditions with some potential moisture, it could also trap smoky air.
Wind strength and direction will determine how long the smoke lingers. If the fires are contained, and Santa Ana winds from the east diminish gradually, then the smoke will make its way out to the ocean where it will dissipate, according to Sam Atwood, spokesman for the South Coast Air Quality Management District.
However, if the wind direction changes quickly from offshore to onshore, then the smoke that has already blown over the ocean could be brought back to the entire Los Angeles Basin, he said.
The situation could be exacerbated if a marine layer develops and traps pollutants and smoke, Hall said.
The AQMD forecast continued poor air quality Monday in the San Gabriel Valley and throughout Los Angeles County. Officials expect to issue Level 2 smog alerts.
Hall said he expects poor air quality will continue until midweek.
The AQMD warned anyone directly affected by smoke -- meaning they can see it or smell it -- to avoid vigorous outdoor activity or indoor exertion.
"If conditions tomorrow are similar to what they (were Sunday), then schools should think about not having kids exercise outside, including sports practices," Atwood said Sunday. "Individuals should not be exercising vigorously outdoors for the next couple of days."
As long as smoky conditions continue, the AQMD warns people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children to remain indoors.
Everyone in smoky areas should keep windows and doors closed unless it is extremely hot inside, under which circumstances they should seek shelter elsewhere.
People with air conditioners should run them with the fresh air intake closed and the filter clean to prevent bringing additional smoke inside.
The majority of the smoke people are breathing is from trees and brush, but when homes and buildings burn, toxic materials that are part of their construction burn as well, Atwood said.
People with asthma and heart disease can experience "very significant" short term effects, including increased attacks, visits to the emergency room and hospitalization, Atwood said.
Health experts and studies have not shown any long-term effects of short-term exposure to wildfire smoke.
staff report
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