Arcadia and forest heat warnings

Special Weather Statement for Los Angeles County San Gabriel Valley, CA

Issued by The National Weather Service Los Angeles, CA 5:08 am PDT, Wed., May. 1, 2013

… OFFSHORE WINDS WITH VERY WARM AND DRY CONDITIONS FOR INTERIOR SOUTHWEST CALIFORNIA TODAY THROUGH FRIDAY…

… ELEVATED FIRE DANGER FOR INTERIOR SOUTHWEST CALIFORNIA TODAY THROUGH FRIDAY…

April 20 fire in foothills of Monrovia near Arcadia

A LATE SEASON OFFSHORE WIND EVENT WILL BRING MODERATE TO LOCALLY STRONG NORTHEAST WINDS TO THE MOUNTAINS AND VALLEYS OF VENTURA AND LOS ANGELES COUNTIES TODAY THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING. GUSTY WINDS MAY SPREAD INTO COASTAL AREAS BY TONIGHT AND PERSIST THROUGH THURSDAY. WEAKER OFFSHORE FLOW IS EXPECTED BY FRIDAY.

THE OFFSHORE FLOW WILL BRING AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF VERY WARM AND DRY CONDITIONS TO MUCH OF THE AREA THROUGH FRIDAY. VALLEY HIGHS WILL SOAR INTO THE MID 90S BY THURSDAY AND TO NEAR 100 DEGREES ON FRIDAY… WITH RECORD BREAKING HIGH TEMPERATURES POSSIBLE. VERY WARM TEMPERATURES WILL ALSO AFFECT COASTAL AREAS… WITH HIGHS IN THE 80S TO LOWER 90S ON THURSDAY AND INTO THE MID 90S BY FRIDAY.

THE OFFSHORE WINDS WILL ALSO BRING A PROLONGED PERIOD OF VERY LOW HUMIDITIES TO INTERIOR SECTIONS. THE LOW HUMIDITIES… GUSTY OFFSHORE WINDS AND HOT TEMPERATURES WILL BRING RED FLAG WARNING CONDITIONS TO THE MOUNTAINS AND MOST VALLEY PORTIONS OF LOS ANGELES AND VENTURA COUNTIES TODAY THROUGH THURSDAY. THE UNUSUALLY DRY FUELS FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR MAY CREATE EXTREME FIRE BEHAVIOR IF IGNITION OCCURS.

WHILE THE WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO SUBSIDE ON FRIDAY… VERY WARM TEMPERATURES AND LOW HUMIDITIES WILL CONTINUE AND THE RED FLAG WARNINGS MAY NEED TO BE EXTENDED INTO FRIDAY FOR PART OR ALL OF THE AREA CURRENTLY INCLUDED IN THE WARNING.

PLEASE STAY TUNED TO THE LATEST NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECASTS AND STATEMENTS ON THIS DEVELOPING WEATHER SITUATION. Angeles Fire Danger Level Raised to ‘High’ Release Date: Apr 25, 2013 Angeles National Forest Raises Fire-Danger Level to High ARCADIA, Calif. – The lack of significant winter rain and the robust amount of tall dry grass has prompted the Angeles National Forest to raise its Fire Danger Level from “Moderate” to “High” effective Friday (April 26). The new designation is to enhance public awareness that fire-risk conditions are intensifying. The vegetation-moisture readings have started to decline, grasses at lower elevations have begun to cure earlier then normal and recent fire activity has increased. The designation of “High” is the third in a six-level, graduated fire-danger rating system, shown in the below graphic. Factors determining the levels include vegetation-moisture levels, weather conditions and available firefighting resources.

Despite the change, there are no new campfire restrictions. Open wood and charcoal fires will still be permitted in approved “developed” campgrounds and picnic areas. Propane or jelled gas stoves and grills are permitted in non-developed areas with a valid California Campfire Permit. Forest visitors should check spark arrestors (required year-round) on off-road vehicles, chain saws and other equipment with internal-combustion engines to ensure they are in working order. Drivers in the forest should stay on designated roads and never park on dry brush or grass, to avoid the risk of starting a fire. “Know Before You Go”to the Angeles National Forest.