Extreme Heat, Low Humidity Fuel Dangerous Wildfire Conditions In LA County Mountains

LOS ANGELES, CA — A red flag warning will remain in effect through 3 p.m. Friday for parts of Los Angeles County as extreme heat, low humidity and gusty winds create the potential for dangerous wildfire conditions, according to the National Weather Service.

The warning covers the San Gabriel Mountains, Highway 14 corridor, Interstate 5 corridor and the Santa Susana Mountains.

Forecasters warned of a "significant risk" of large, plume-dominated fires capable of rapid spread and extreme fire behavior.

Temperatures could reach 100 to 110 degrees across some lower mountain elevations and adjacent foothills, while minimum humidity levels are expected to fall to between 10% and 20%. Isolated areas could see humidity as low as 8%.

North to northwest winds of 15 to 25 mph could gust to 35 mph in some areas, with gusts possibly reaching 40 mph along the 5 Freeway corridor late Thursday night into Friday morning. The eastern San Gabriel and Santa Susana mountains could see southwest winds gusting to 30 mph.

• See also: Daily Heat Records Could Be Smashed As Temperatures Soar Past 110 In LA County

The fire weather threat comes amid a prolonged Southern California heat wave. The National Weather Service said temperatures across the region could run 10 to 15 degrees above average through Thursday, with little change expected Friday.

Residents near wildland areas should be prepared to evacuate if a fire breaks out, and forecasters urged people to use extreme caution with anything that could spark a wildfire.

City News Service contributed to this report.