Fierce winds, summer-like temps mean high fire danger in SoCal

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. (KABC) -- Fierce Santa Ana winds and unseasonably warm temperatures mean high fire danger for parts of the Southland on Monday.

The National Weather Service has issued red-flag warnings for large swaths of Los Angeles and Ventura counties until 6 p.m.

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Meanwhile a high-wind warning is in place for the San Gabriel and Santa Monica mountains, where gusts topping 58 mph are possible.

The winds are being kicked up by a strengthening high-pressure system that could produce record-breaking heat. Forecasters say temperatures in the 80s are possible in some areas Monday and Tuesday.

Camarillo residents felt the effects of the high winds that fueled a dangerous fire that threatened three homes along a river bottom on Sunday.

"I can't believe how fast it happened and how fast the fire department put it out," said Dan Rusker, a Camarillo resident. "I smelled smoke in the house and I opened up the back door and the embers were almost blowing in the door. The flames were coming right up almost to the house."

Rusker said he grabbed his daughter and they ran for safety.

Firefighters were able to contain the three-acre blaze, but they continued to monitor the area on Monday due to the winds.

No damage or injuries were reported.

The blustery conditions are also rattling the nerves of drivers.

"It's intense. I mean I was driving this morning to work and my car was blowing all over," said Sabrina Gutierrez of Thousand Oaks.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.