UPDATE: Red Flag Warning, High Wind Warning for Redlands and Loma Linda

Update 4:30 p.m. A fire weather watch for Redlands, Loma Linda, Mentone and the surrounding region has been upgraded to a red flag warning for dangerously dry, windy conditions from 8 p.m. Thursday to 2 p.m. Saturday.

"A red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now . . . or will shortly," the National Weather Service advised Wednesday afternoon.

"A combination of strong winds . . . low relative humidity . . . and warm temperatures will create explosive fire growth potential."

Update 1:45 p.m. A high wind watch for Redlands, Loma Linda, Mentone and the surrounding region has been upgraded to a high wind warning for Thursday evening through late Friday.

"Wind gusts through favored canyons and passes may exceed 65 miles per hour at time," the National Weather Service advised just after 1 p.m. Oct. 24. "The winds will gradually weaken Saturday morning through Sunday."

Posted 12:50 p.m. A high wind watch and a fire weather watch have been issued for Redlands, Loma Linda, Mentone and the surrounding region, from Thursday evening through Friday night.

"Building surface pressure over the Great Basin will generate strong, gusty northeast to east winds" Thursday evening through Friday night, the National Weather Service advised.

Sustained winds of 35 miles per hour are expected, and gusting winds in vulnerable areas may exceed 60 mph at times, according to the Weather Service. The winds are expected to weaken Saturday morning through Sunday.

Watch areas include the Cajon Pass, San Bernardino Mountains, San Bernardino County valleys, the San Gorgonio Pass and the Coachella Valley.

Strong winds with blowing dust and sand may make driving difficult in some areas, according to the Weather Service.

The fire weather watch is for the same time period due to strong winds and single-digit humidity levels by Friday afternoon.

"Humidity will fall unto the upper single digits to mid teens Friday afternoon with poor overnight recovery," the Weather Service advised. "Very dry conditions will continue through the weekend."

The fire weather watch area includes San Bernardino County valleys, the Inland Empire, the San Bernardino Mountains, mountain top and front country Ranger Districts of the San Bernardino National Forest, the San Jacinto Ranger District, and the Coachella Valley.

"A fire weather watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur," the Weather Service advised. "Listen for later forecasts and possible red flag warnings."

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