A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. Use extreme caution with anything that can spark a wildfire. Residents near wildland interfaces should be prepared to evacuate if a wildfire breaks out. See readyforwildfire.org and wildfirerisk.org for information.

RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FOR WESTERN LOS ANGELES COUNTY AND EASTERN VENTURA COUNTY MOUNTAINS AND VALLEYS FROM 1 AM THURSDAY THROUGH 11 AM FRIDAY... ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FOR THE MALIBU COASTAL STRIP WESTWARD TO THE VENTURA COUNTY COASTAL PLAIN FROM 8 AM THURSDAY THROUGH 11 AM FRIDAY... .High confidence in a moderate to strong Santa Ana event ramping up late tonight, peaking during the morning to early afternoon hours Thursday, and slowly tapering off into Friday. This Santa Ana event will be a bit more out of the east than recent events leading to more of a focus on the western San Fernando Valley and western portions of the Santa Monica mountains. This orientation typically provides more widespread gusty winds into coastal areas of Ventura County as well. Winds will really ramp up after midnight and peak through Thursday morning with widespread gusts peaking in the 35 to 55 mph range across much of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, including coastal areas. Locally higher gusts of 50 to 65 mph are possible across windier hills and mountains. Winds will weaken some Thursday afternoon but remaining gusty through Thursday night with gusts of 30 to 45 mph. Then they will slowly diminish further through the day on Friday. Humidity levels will initially start out above critical levels at the onset of stronger winds this evening, but will lower by Thursday morning as low as 5 to 15 percent. The combination of these gusty winds and very low humidity will very likely lead to at least 6 to 12 hours of widespread critical fire weather conditions. ...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM THURSDAY TO 11 AM PST FRIDAY FOR GUSTY NORTHEAST WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE WESTERN LOS ANGELES COUNTY AND EASTERN VENTURA COUNTY MOUNTAINS AND VALLEYS... * Winds...Northeast winds 25 to 40 mph with gusts to 55 mph possible. Local gusts to 65 mph possible over windier mountains and hills. Strongest Thursday morning to early afternoon. * Relative Humidity...Humidity levels starting in the 20 to 30 percent range early Thursday morning, lowering into the 5 to 15 percent range later Thursday morning into the afternoon. * Impacts...If fire ignition occurs there could be rapid spread of wildfire that would lead to a threat to life and property.