Winds, Fire Weather Watch Return To Orange County

ORANGE COUNTY, CA —A fire weather watch is in effect this week for both coastal and inland Orange County and much of southern California. Impending reports of Santa Ana winds and low humidity will have all eyes watching for smoke in mountain areas.

During a wind event, even a slight fire can become devastating to the wildland areas, according to the National Weather Service. Outdoor burning is not recommended this week.

The Fire Weather Watch predicted that sustained winds would blow at 15 to 25 miles per hour, with gusts of up to 35 to 50 miles per hour. Humidity was expected to hover between 5 to 10 percent, with poor overnight recovery, the NWS said.

Windy weather was slated to begin overnight Wednesday through Friday evening, with the strongest winds in northern areas Thursday and the southern regions Friday.

With the combined wind and low humidity, any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly, Alexander Tardy said.

The NWS has forecast strong, gusty winds and low humidity for much of southwestern California.