Large parts of California face elevated wildfire weather starting Thursday, the Associated Press reported, as hot temperatures and dry Santa Ana winds move across the state through Saturday.
In Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass said she has directed the fire department to deploy personnel and equipment ahead of the winds and has requested assistance from the state's office of emergency services.
The National Weather Service expects northeast winds of 20 to 40 mph, with gusts of 50 to 70 mph in the San Gabriel and Santa Susana mountains. A Red Flag Warning was also issued for parts of central and Northern California, where strong winds, heat and low humidity began Wednesday night.
Thousands of customers could lose power as utilities carry out preventive shutoffs, a measure meant to keep damaged or sparking equipment from starting fires during the most dangerous hours.
