California braces for wildfire nightmare as 70mph winds threaten hundreds of thousands with blackouts

Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today. Join today Already a member? Log in Large regions across California face dangerous fire weather starting Thursday, with thousands of residents potentially losing electricity as utility providers attempt to avoid sparking wildfires during hot, gusty conditions expected to persist through Saturday . Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass , who has drawn criticism over the city's response to deadly 2025 blazes, said she instructed the fire department to deploy crews and equipment ahead of the windstorm. She added that officials have also requested help from state emergency services. "It’s a pretty widespread event of elevated fire weather, so the whole SoCal region should really be on alert," said Rose Schoenfeld, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service . open image in gallery California is bracing for fire weather, with thousands potentially losing power as utilities aim to prevent wildfires during hot and windy conditions ( AP ) Warm, dry Santa Ana winds blowing from Southern California 's interior toward the coast are expected across the region, with the strongest gusts forecast between Thursday afternoon and Friday afternoon. Schoenfeld said winds are expected to average 20 to 40 mph (32 to 64 kph), with gusts between 50 and 70 mph (80 to 113 kph) across the San Gabriel Mountains in Los Angeles County and the Santa Susana Mountains. Elevated, brief fire weather conditions are also forecast for the Santa Lucia range in San Luis Obispo County. Severe weather took hold earlier in Northern California , where communities in the Sierra Nevada and surrounding foothills encountered high temperatures, low humidity, and powerful winds beginning Wednesday night, weather forecasters reported. A Red Flag Warning was issued for parts of central and Northern California starting Thursday through Friday morning, with forecasters noting that any fires would expand rapidly. The warnings indicate a heightened risk of wildfire activity. Pacific Gas and Electric Company alerted 88,000 customers in 29 counties on Wednesday afternoon that proactive shutoffs could begin Wednesday night, aiming to reduce the danger of wind gusts bringing down live power lines that could trigger blazes. open image in gallery Water is dropped by helicopter on the advancing Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, ( AP ) The utility reported that potential service cutoffs stretching from the Central Coast into the higher reaches of the Sierra Nevada could extend through Saturday afternoon. Across Southern California, the Red Flag Warning covering mountain terrain in Ventura and Los Angeles counties will remain in effect from Thursday morning through Friday night. "We are augmenting our staffing, positioning our people and pre-deploying equipment ahead of this weather so we are ready before the first call comes in," Los Angeles Fire Chief Jaime Moore said. "We are asking residents to do their part, too. Clear the streets, have a plan and stay informed." In January 2025, the Santa Ana-driven Palisades Fire swept through a hillside Los Angeles neighborhood, killing 12 people and destroying coastal mansions. Another concurrent fire in Altadena, located within Los Angeles County, claimed 19 lives while destroying more than 9,400 homes and commercial buildings. Schoenfeld explained that the incoming Santa Ana winds will not be as powerful as during those earlier disasters, when speeds reached 60 to 100 mph (96 to 160 kph). Investigators determined the Palisades Fire was a carryover from the Lachman Fire, whereas the Eaton Fire was triggered by sparks from an idle transmission tower owned by Southern California Edison. Southern California Edison’s portal showed Wednesday that it was assessing safety shutoffs that could affect 245,000 customers across Kern, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara , Tulare, and Ventura counties, with 124,000 of those located in Ventura County .v