Santa Ana, Diablo Winds Wallop CA, Posing Major Fire Concern

CALIFORNIA — A searing, record-breaking heat wave, power outages, dry air polluted by raging forest fires — Californians faced an arduous holiday weekend contending with Mother Nature. And while the swelter will subside Tuesday, high winds upward of 50 mph are set to arrive in its stead.

As fire crews continue to wrestle for control over a new string of wildfires that cropped up over the weekend as a result of the arid heat, conditions were expected to get much worse with the addition of both the Diablo and Santa Ana winds Tuesday.

For Northern California, intense Diablo winds are forecast to hamper efforts to contain blazes that have been burning since early August, and will keep crews on watch for new fires.

Pacific Gas & Electric began shutting off power to several communities Monday to avoid the potential of new fires sparking by downed power lines. As of Tuesday morning, more than 120,000 PG&E customers were without power, The Los Angeles Times reports.

For Public Safety due to Severe Weather, PG&E has Begun Process of Turning Off Power in High Fire-Threat Areas - Strong Winds Expected to Last Through Early Wednesday Morning https://t.co/AOlcxoOAy8 pic.twitter.com/1SdvuxH6FE
— PG&E (@PGE4Me) September 8, 2020

The Santa Ana winds were expected to jostle all of Southern California on Tuesday afternoon, where a cluster of new massive forest fires still raged out of control.

After a long, hot weekend, tens of thousands of Southern California Edison and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power customers were without power Tuesday. For some, no electricity would return until Wednesday.

With red flag fire conditions in the area, SCE warned that more than 66,000 of its customers might fall into "public safety power shutoffs" due to red flag warnings. The shutoffs are implemented to help prevent wildfires from sparking.

SEE ALSO: 20,000 Powerless Across Southland, SCE Considers Red Flag Shutoff

In Los Angeles County, authorities feared that the incoming winds could severely aggravate the Bobcat fire, burning close to Duarte and Monrovia. Residents in the foothill communities of the San Gabriel Mountains were told to prepare for evacuation with the arrival of Tuesday afternoon's winds, KTLA 5 reports.

The Valley Fire, which has burned 17,000 acres and had 3 percent containment, has also prompted local concern in San Diego County for the arrival of the Santa Ana winds.

The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for San Diego County due to gusty winds and low humidity. The warning will be in effect from noon Tuesday until 8 p.m. Wednesday in the county mountains and valleys.

We made it through the heat! As a gift for surviving that excessive heat you all get a nice day with near seasonal temps! Enjoy the day but keep in mind gusty Santa Ana winds will develop over the interior this afternoon and evening. #CAwx pic.twitter.com/DD64HEPtpi
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) September 8, 2020

SEE ALSO: Gusty Winds, Low Humidity Raise Risk Of Fires In San Diego County

The National Weather Service extended red flag warnings and issued wind advisories and high-wind warnings for most of California for Tuesday. Winds were expected to blow strongest in San Bernardino County in the southeastern reaches of the state, with winds reaching a possible 60 mph.

"Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines," the NWS warned Tuesday. "Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles. Boating conditions will be hazardous. Wave heights 2 to 4 feet could capsize small craft."

High winds were expected to arrive at noon Tuesday and persist possibly through 8 p.m. Wednesday, beginning first in San Bernardino and Orange counties, then spreading southward into San Diego later in the afternoon.

Apple and Lucerne Valleys could see strong gusts of around 40 mph, and the Santa Cruz Mountains were likely to experience gusts up to 35 mph.

Overall, winds were expected to weaken Thursday with higher coastal humidity pushing inland over the weekend.

A large portion of the western US will experience another day of critical to extreme fire weather conditions - meaning any any ongoing fires or new starts could experience very dangerous fire behavior and spread. pic.twitter.com/cOQHnmgOAd
— National Weather Service (@NWS) September 8, 2020