Weather service: Winds strong below Cajon Pass
LOS ANGELES --Santa Ana winds expected to return today and last through Saturday will be strongest below the Cajon Pass and in the Santa Ana Mountains, according to the National Weather Service.
Firefighters are on alert across Southern California as red flag warnings for strong, gusting winds and critical fire weather were issued Thursday by the Weather Service for mountains and passes in six Southern California counties.
The warnings are in effect until 6 p.m. Saturday.
Winds may begin gusting today during the mid- to late morning, said Don Whitlow, a Weather Service meteorologist based in San Diego.
The winds are expected to be strongest and most widespread late tonight through Saturday morning, with
moderate to locally strong Santa Ana winds at times, according to a Weather Service statement issued today.
Winds are expected to be strongest below the Cajon Pass and in the Santa Ana mountains and foothills.
Fire crews and extra equipment from across the West are here on standby.
In addition to county and state resources, federal assets assigned to be ready for strong winds include 11 air tankers, 18 helicopters, four military C-130s equipped for retardant drops, five lead planes, 170 fire engines, 21 hand crews and three incident management teams, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
The Los Angeles Fire Department will enforce parking restrictions for the Hollywood Hills and other fire-prone areas with narrow winding roads, officials said. The restrictions go into effect at 10 a.m. today until further notice.
-- Associated Press