The National Weather Service has extended its red flag warning for inland Orange County and the Santa Ana Mountains through 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15. Residents are urged to remain vigilant as elevated winds and low humidity combine to create hazardous fire conditions.
Red flag warning
A red flag warning indicates critical fire weather conditions that combine strong winds, low humidity and warm temperatures, creating an environment where wildfires can ignite and spread rapidly.
Forecasts on Sunday predicted northeast winds between 15 and 25 miles per hour, with gusts reaching up to 55 miles per hour in some areas, particularly in ridges and canyons. Humidity levels were expected to drop as low as 10 to 12 percent, with little to no recovery overnight.
These conditions make outdoor burning and other fire-starting activities extremely dangerous. Residents are strongly encouraged to stay vigilant and take precautions to prevent fires.
Air quality alert
An Air Quality Alert remains in effect for Orange County and other parts of the South Coast Air Basin due to harmful fine particle pollution caused by wildfire smoke and windblown dust.
The mandatory wood-burning ban has been extended, prohibiting wood, pellet and manufactured fire logs in indoor and outdoor devices for the duration of the alert.
Vulnerable populations, such as those with heart or lung conditions, older adults and children, should limit outdoor activities, especially when air quality is rated “Unhealthy” or worse.
Los Angeles County
As Orange County Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean shared on Wednesday, OCDE’s thoughts are with its neighbors and colleagues in Los Angeles County, where multiple wildfires have caused untold devastation.
The Palisades Fire has now spread to over 22,000 acres, with thousands of residents still under evacuation orders. Firefighters are working tirelessly to establish containment lines amid challenging weather conditions.
“As neighboring counties, we share not only a geographical connection but also a commitment to supporting one another in times of crisis,” Dr. Bean said. “Orange County stands ready to assist and provide resources to help minimize disruptions and ensure continuity of education and services for those affected.”
Recommendations
- Avoid fire-starting activities. During periods of high winds or low humidity, avoid activities that could ignite a fire, such as using outdoor power tools, welding equipment or starting open flames like campfires or barbecues. Even small sparks can lead to devastating fires in these conditions. For more tips, visit the CAL FIRE website.
- Make fire preparedness plans. Prepare a tailored plan in advance of any emergency that includes essential evacuation steps. Pack a Go Bag, and remember the 6 P’s: people and pets, papers and important documents, prescriptions, pictures, personal devices (including chargers), and plastic (credit cards and cash). For more details, visit readyforwildfire.org.
- Secure outdoor items during wind events. Ensure that loose objects like patio furniture are secured to prevent them from becoming hazards during high winds.
- Stay informed. Monitor updates from the National Weather Service and local authorities for the latest information.
- Monitor air quality. Be aware that air quality may be affected by smoke from regional fires. Limit outdoor activities if air quality deteriorates. For ongoing updates on air quality, visit the AQMD air quality webpage.
For all official information on local fires, evacuations and road closures, be sure to follow the Orange County Fire Authority on X, formerly known as Twitter.