Fire Weather, Red Flag Warning Issued: Riverside County

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Gusty Santa Ana winds are expected Thursday in most of Riverside County amid dry and warm conditions, significantly raising the risk of wildfires, according to the National Weather Service.

The agency issued a red flag warning that will be in effect in the Riverside metropolitan area and the Riverside County mountains from 4 p.m. Thursday through 4 p.m. Friday.

Winds out of the northeast are expected to be between 15-25 mph Thursday afternoon, with gusts potentially reaching 35 mph in the mountains, the Riverside metropolitan area and the San Gorgonio Pass near Banning, forecasters said. Light winds are expected Thursday and Friday in the Coachella Valley.

Humidity will drop to between 10-15% Thursday and between 8-12% Friday throughout the region.

The red flag warning means that any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly and outdoor burning is not recommended, according to the NWS.

U.S. Forest Service rangers Wednesday rescinded all scheduled controlled burns in the San Bernardino National Forest around Idyllwild because of increasing easterly winds.

"Prescribed burning is an important activity for the long-term health and wellness of the forest, but when a heightened fire danger returns, we need to switch gears and be ready for the possibility of significant fire activity," USFS Fire Chief Jaime Gamboa said.

Crews had planned to conduct operations within the Cranston burn scar in the San Jacinto Mountains, north of Mountain Center and south of Idyllwild. However, after the National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning for the Inland Empire, the Forest Service scratched those plans.

Now USFS crews are on standby alert, prepared for possible fire outbreaks, according to USFS spokesman Zach Behrens.

The wind events coincide with a general warm-up across the region, with temperatures in the Riverside metropolitan area predicted to be in the mid to upper 80s -- 20 degrees above average for this time of year -- from Thursday to Sunday.

There was no word on when controlled burning operations may resume in the San Bernardino National Forest, where crews are slated to reduce 1,300 acres of excess vegetation before spring.

Forecasters said more localized and weaker winds are expected on Saturday and Sunday, then a round of potentially stronger Santa Ana winds is expected Monday through Tuesday.