Fire Weather Watch: Fall Weather Pattern, Offshore Winds

OFFSHORE FLOW PATTERN DEVELOPS SUNDAY THROUGH TUESDAY BRINGING HOT AND DRY CONDITIONS TO MUCH OF THE SOUTHLAND. FIRE DANGER WILL  DANGER WILL PEAK ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY WHEN OFFSHORE WINDS ARE GENERALLY EXPECTED TO GUST BETWEEN 20 AND 30 MPH BELOW AND THROUGH PASSES AND CANYONS OF LOS ANGELES AND VENTURA COUNTIES. ISOLATED GUSTS OVER 30 MPH WILL BE POSSIBLE THROUGH FAVORED MOUNTAIN PASSES. THE OFFSHORE WINDS COMBINED WITH TRIPLE DIGIT HEAT...WIDESPREAD SINGLE DIGIT HUMIDITIES...AND VERY DRY FUELS WILL BRING NEAR CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS TO PORTIONS OF THE SOUTHLAND...WHICH MAY PROMPT A FIRE WEATHER WATCH AS WE DRAW CLOSER TO THE EVENT.

HIGH TEMPERATURES, LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND TINDER DRY FUELS EQUAL FIRE WEATHER WATCH. RESIDENT USE CAUTION IN MOUNTAIN AREAS, DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS, LIMIT ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION.

Fire Weather: Potential Offshore Winds Coming

The first mild offshore wind event last week saw increased fire activity for Southern California. Another round of above average temperatures and a mild offshore flow may bring increased fire concerns starting Thursday into the weekend.

Today saw gusty winds in the Antelope Valley, Temperatures in the 90's with low relative humidites. No new fire activity reported in Zone 259.

The fire in San Diego County has a fatality, an elderly man found dead on the Schockey Fire.

Interstate Wildfire Brought Under Control

A wildfire along Interstate 5 north of Vista Del Lago and south of Smokey Bear Road was brought under control in approximately one hour today as air craft pounded the flames with water. Numerous quick return trips by the super scoopers that are on contract from Quebec Canada made a big difference today halting the flames from going more than two acres. Additional aircraft including an Erickson Sky Crane also made precision drops to help ground troops gain control of the fire.

Firefighting units from the Angeles National Forest and Los Angeles County worked in cooperation to stop the advancing flames from going into the forest boundary. The cause is undetermined at this time. Units where working the blaze until full containmnet could be achieved around 8 pm tonight.

Cooler weather is expected until another heat wave returns next Friday. However gusty canyon winds are always associated with cold fronts coming through the high desert.

LAFD Hoist Rescue Griffith Park

Numerous people complained about symptoms of heat exhaustion during the final fly over of space shuttle endeavor in Griffith Park Friday afternoon. One patient had to be airlifted off the Dantes View hiking trail by LAFD Copter 2. Thousands of people where in attendance to see the final fly over of the space shuttle over Los Angeles. Numerous ambulances had to transport patrons who did not come prepared for the sweltering heat.

Wildfire Angeles National Forest Halted at 25 Acres, Disaster Averted

A fast moving wildfire was halted to 25 acres by a massive response of air support and hand crews along the Old Ridge Route and Pine Canyon Road near Sandberg CA. Los Angeles County, Kern County and the Forest Service fire crews were supported by fixed wing air tankers, super scoopers, heavy heli-tankers, and nurmerous helicopters from the Forest Service and Los Angeles County and City Fire Departments. Los Angeles County Engine 77 was the first to arrive and ordered a second alarm for structure protection in Pine Canyon. The fire was burning in steep terrain, old fuels and with gusty canyon winds pushing the fire. High pressure has created above average temperatures and very low relative humidity over the area for the past week.

Fuels are at critical levels and it is time for Santa Anas to start forming over the region. Los Angeles County has super scooper air craft on contract from Canada and additional heavy helitankers based out of Van Nuys Tanker Base at the Van Nuys Airport.