Strong winds return to Southern California; crews on high alert

Windy and dry conditions returned to Southern California on Monday, raising the risk of new wildfires sparking as firefighters continue to battle two major blazes in the Los Angeles area that started in similar weather nearly two weeks ago.

Gusts could peak at 70 mph along the coast and 100 mph in the mountains and foothills during extreme fire weather that is expected to last through Tuesday.

The National Weather Service has issued a warning of a "particularly dangerous situation" for parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties from Monday afternoon through Tuesday morning due to low humidity and damaging Santa Ana winds. Gusts could peak at 70 mph along the coast and 100 mph in the mountains and foothills.

A red flag warning is also in effect until 10 p.m. Tuesday night.

Santa Ana winds are expected to stay through Tuesday afternoon. Here's a possible timeline:

The "particularly dangerous situation" warning went into effect at noon Monday and will expire Tuesday at 10 a.m. The strongest wind gusts are expected to come overnight Monday into early Tuesday with gusts anywhere between 40 to 50 mph - creating dangerous fire conditions.

FULL FORECAST: Los Angeles weather: Santa Ana winds return with a 'particularly dangerous situation', elevating risk of wildfires

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

More than 60 parks in Los Angeles will be closed through Tuesday due to the strong winds and extreme fire danger, including Griffith Park, Elysian Park, Lake Hollywood Park, and the Sepulveda Basin recreation area.

Nine other parks and facilities, including Runyon Canyon and Palisades Park and Recreation Center, remain closed until further notice.

For more information visit https://www.laparks.org/.

Strong winds appeared to be blowing ash from the Eaton Fire over communities near Sierra Madre, helicopter reporter Gabe Santos reported.

Strong winds appeared to be blowing ash from the Eaton Fire over communities near Sierra Madre, helicopter reporter Gabe Santos reported.

Residents are advised to stay indoors if possible and wear a mask when outdoors.

While Santa Ana winds will clear smoke, forecasters say it will carry toxic ash to areas south and west of the burn zones. Although ash can travel hundreds of miles, the highest impacted cities are those closest and downwind.

For the Eaton Fire that includes La Canada, La Crescenta, Glendale and other parts of the San Fernando Valley. The National Weather Service says much of the Palisades' ash will be carried out to sea, although nearby coastal communities may be impacted. Neighborhoods near the Kenneth and Hurst fires may also see ash blowing.

Monday's red-flag warning is a PDS, which stands for "particularly dangerous situation." But what does that mean? An NWS meteorologist explains.

"Ultimately every situation is different but for all of these if a fire were to develop it has the potential to grow explosively," said Dr. Ariel Cohen, a National Weather Service meteorologist.

A PDS is for areas already under red-flag warnings. This week's PDS warning includes western portions of L.A. County, Ventura, parts of the San Fernando Valley and even extends up the 5 Freeway.

"We're already seeing these damaging wind gusts setting up across the area. It's already being realized," Cohen said.

NWS Los Angeles issued its first two PDS warnings in 2020. Then came two years of near-record rainfall and extensive vegetation growth.

So why are there so many PDS alerts this year? The recent dry spell, available fuels and strong winds all together form an extremely dangerous combination.

"All of that fuel was drying out and available to burn," Cohen said. "We have winds that dry the fuels out further and without precipitation again it's a very volatile situation."