More Santa Ana winds to bring extreme wildfire risk to Southern California this weekend
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A wildfire burns on Paradise Island west of Lake Almanor, Calif., on March 27, 2018. (Photo by Scott Varley / The Desert Sun via AP)
A wildfire burns on Paradise Island west of Lake Almanor, Calif., on March 27, 2018. (Photo by Scott Varley / The Desert Sun via AP)
SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) — At least one wildfire in Southern California’s rugged Los Angeles Basin has gained more fuel, and officials said severe fire conditions could return as winds pick up over the weekend from a cold front to fuel other blazes.
While fires are not expected to top 100,000 acres (40,550 hectares), fire managers warned that they are already in a “danger zone,” and urged people to avoid populated areas.
The extreme fire danger means there is a 10 percent chance of a major fire starting and a 10 percent chance of a small fire getting very close to being a wildfire, according to the National Weather Service.
“There will be more wind this weekend, so that will lead to fire growth,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Patrick McDevitt.
There is a 10 percent chance of a “major fire” starting, but that’s only when a certain fire area is hit by extreme winds, he said.
National Weather Service meteorologist Patrick McDevitt said severe fire conditions could return as winds pick up over the weekend. (Janie Har/The Desert Sun via AP)
National Weather Service meteorologist Patrick McDevitt said severe fire conditions could return as winds pick up over the weekend. (Janie Har/The Desert Sun via AP)
A wildfire burns on Paradise Island west of Lake Almanor, Calif., on March 27, 2018. (Photo by Scott Varley / The Desert Sun via AP)
A wildfire burns on Paradise Island west of Lake Al