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| Los Angeles Fire Image by USA Times |
Los Angeles - Strong Santa Ana winds and critical fire conditions are expected to persist in the Los Angeles area, with forecasters warning of another potentially dangerous windstorm system approaching next week. The announcement comes as tens of thousands of Southern California residents already face power outages amid current severe weather conditions.
While the present wind event is expected to ease over the weekend, the National Weather Service predicts a new round of Santa Ana winds from January 22 to January 25, accompanied by "anomalously dry weather conditions." The exact timing and severity of this upcoming system remain uncertain.
The ongoing situation has already led to widespread power disruptions, with more than 90,000 homes and businesses across Southern California experiencing outages. Los Angeles County reported over 30,000 customers without power, while neighboring San Bernardino County saw 32,000 affected customers.
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) has warned residents that additional preventive power shutoffs may be necessary, particularly in areas facing elevated wildfire risks. Current red flag warnings covering much of Los Angeles and Ventura counties were scheduled to expire Wednesday evening, though warnings for mountainous areas north of Los Angeles have been extended into Thursday.
"Local fire authorities may ask LADWP to de-energize power lines as a preventative measure, to help prevent wildfires and protect communities," LADWP officials stated. The department emphasized that power restoration might not be immediate, noting that "LADWP crews may not be able to automatically re-energize power lines serving your home or business."
Residents, especially those in mountainous areas, are being urged to prepare for potential outages by:
- Charging all electronic devices
- Keeping flashlights readily available
- Maintaining a supply of extra batteries
The department stressed that these precautionary measures are being implemented to ensure public safety during this extended period of critical fire weather conditions.
