Southern California is under an “extreme fire” warning as dry and windy conditions spread two wildfires

“Extremely critical” wildfire warnings are in effect for several Southern California counties as warm, dry temperatures and strong winds create volatile fire conditions.

On Wednesday, the National Weather Service issued a rare red flag warning for Los Angeles and Ventura counties, warning of “extreme fire danger” from Malibu to the San Gabriel Mountains north of Los Angeles, where winds gusted to nearly 100 mph could occur.

“A very strong, widespread, and prolonged Santa Ana wind event will bring widespread, extremely critical fire weather conditions to many areas of Los Angeles and Ventura counties Wednesday through Thursday,” the NWS warning said.

Named for the Santa Ana Canyon in Southern California, the region's Santa Ana winds bring blustery, dry, warm winds that blow from the desert, drying out vegetation and increasing the risk of wildfires.

As of Wednesday, at least two wind-driven fires have already broken out in Southern California.

Mountain fire

The fast-spreading mountain fire in Ventura County has spread over 8,000 acres in four hours, prompting evacuation orders, threatening buildings and injuring several people, according to local fire departments.

According to the Ventura Fire Department, fixed-wing aircraft cannot assist in fighting the fire due to extreme wind conditions. Ground personnel, helicopters and mutual aid personnel are “actively engaged in protecting life and property.”

CAL Fire says evacuation orders are in effect for Walnut Avenue to Balcom Canyon Road and North Highway 118 to the ridgeline and west to Saticoy County Club in Ventura County.

Wide fire

According to CAL Fire, a second wildfire called the Broad Fire broke out Wednesday in the Malibu region of Los Angeles County, burning at least 50 acres southwest of South Malibu Canyon Road and Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) in Malibu .

Local firefighters have warned residents to prepare for possible evacuations, and the PCH was closed in both directions between Webb Way and Corral Canyon.

Wind conditions in Santa Ana

The prolonged wind event in Santa Ana will peak on Wednesday, become moderate on Thursday and ease on Friday, then transition to light offshore winds.

Northeast winds of 20 to 40 mph and gusts up to 60 mph are expected in Southern California's canyons and passes through Wednesday, with stronger winds in the more wind-prone areas.

Another burst of wind is expected to peak late Wednesday evening into Thursday morning, with widespread northeast winds of 20 to 30 mph and gusts up to 50 mph, before easing significantly Thursday afternoon.