The wind predictions for Southern California’s Santa Ana are deteriorating, and authorities indicate that the circumstances present a “threat of extensive fires” commencing Monday.

The National Weather Service in Oxnard issued the most severe form of a fire weather advisory on Sunday, referred to as a “particularly perilous conditions” warning.

Meteorologists from the National Weather Service noted that extensive regions of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, including the Malibu and Altadena wildfire zones, are anticipated to be impacted. They urged residents to ready themselves for the situation, which is expected to initiate at noon on Monday and continue until 10 a.m. Tuesday.

Wind gusts between 50 to 70 mph are predicted along the coastline and in the valleys. Mountain and foothill areas may experience wind gusts of 60 to 80 mph, with isolated gusts reaching up to 160 mph possible.

“We advise individuals to formulate an evacuation strategy for you, your family, and your pets. Assemble necessities and prepare an emergency bag just in case. Refuel your vehicle, stock up on outdoor equipment, and modify your travel arrangements,” stated Rose Schoenfeld, a meteorologist from the National Weather Service.

In addition to Malibu and Altadena, the advisory also encompasses Burbank, Santa Clarita, Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, and Azusa. Ojai and Pasadena lie outside the designated areas, Schoenfeld mentioned.

A Standard Red Flag Alert, denoting severe fire weather conditions and rapid fire spread due to new ignitions, will be in effect for extensive regions of Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura counties starting Monday until 10 a.m. It has already been implemented. Tuesdays at 10 p.m.

The new advisory arises as the National Weather Service’s Oxnard office, which caters to Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties, has issued an unprecedented red flag alert for “particularly hazardous conditions” in a single season. This is the fifth occasion the order has been enacted.

The first three instances authorities enacted warnings, fires subsequently ignited and spread swiftly. In November, a 19,904-acre wildfire in Ventura County obliterated 243 structures. The 4,037-acre Franklin Fire disseminated rapidly in Malibu, annihilating 20 buildings in December. This month’s Palisades and Eaton fires were among the most destructive and lethal fires in California’s contemporary history.

The weather bureau in Oxnard only began issuing warnings for “particularly perilous conditions” in 2020, with two warnings occurring in October and December. Further advisories were not issued until November 2024.

Firefighters battled against the newly risen threat of strong gales over the weekend to enhance containment of wildfires still raging in Pacific Palisades and Altadena, areas under red flag reminders.

The Palisades Fire, which has incinerated over 23,700 acres and claimed at least 10 lives, is 56% contained as of Sunday, according to the State Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The Eaton Fire has scorched over 14,000 acres and resulted in at least 17 fatalities, yet is 81% contained.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office reported that 27 individuals are still unaccounted for, 20 from the Eaton fire and seven from the Palisades.

As late as Sunday, certain towns close to the Palisades fire remained under evacuation orders, but the zone where only residents were permitted to enter had been extended to Palisades Heights and was closed daily at 10 a.m. and p.m. Guards were assigned at 5 a.m. Evacuation notices were lifted in other regions as well.

Meanwhile, in Altadena, the area situated north of Mendocino Avenue and Harriet Avenue persisted under an evacuation order. To the south, the zone north of Woodbury Road and between Lincoln Avenue on the west side and Lake Avenue on the eastern side remained under evacuation orders Sunday night.

The Altadena Sheriff’s Station remained shuttered following concerns about airborne contaminants, which led to a complaint to the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration last week, but Sheriff Robert Luna indicated on Sunday that earlier this week he anticipated it to reopen.

Over 2,700 federal and state fire personnel continued fighting the Eaton Fire on Sunday, showing a slight reduction from the previous day as some firefighters were relieved of duty. Carlos Herrera, a public information officer for the Los Angeles County Fire Department, stated that officials will persist in deploying firemen from around the nation, alongside Canada and Mexico, as containment improves.

Nonetheless, the department will maintain communication with meteorological experts and deploy suitable personnel, “particularly in Altadena, Mount Lowe, and Mount Wilson, where we are assessing containment,” Herrera stated. “We have abundant resources.”

During a town meeting Sunday afternoon, Cal Fire Chief Jed Gaines echoed similar thoughts but expressed concerns given the forecasts for the upcoming days.

“We are assured that this fire is contained within the current radius,” he mentioned, “but we are apprehensive about whether new fires will ignite in the vicinity.”

Over 5,600 firefighters were still engaged on the Palisades fire on Sunday, approximately the same figure as the previous day.

Melanie Miller, public informationofficer for the Palisades incident, stated that the team had “backup strategies” established for additional winds and it is yet to be determined if any modifications in response will be required or if any assets will be released. He mentioned that he is currently in a holding pattern.

Other regions impacted by this alert encompass Santa Monica and the San Gabriel Valley. Locations outside the red flag warning zone include the Los Angeles Basin, which encompasses downtown Los Angeles, Torrance and Long Beach, along with coastal San Diego and Orange counties.

Malibu inhabitant Kathy King was getting ready for the forthcoming strong winds.

“I’m anxious that I’m going to witness again what I experienced a week ago, 10 days ago,” she remarked on Sunday while shopping for groceries. “We understand that once a fire ignites, it’s incredibly challenging to regain control.”

Her residence near Point Dume was spared during the 2018 Woolsey Fire, which obliterated nearly every house on that street. However, the Palisades fire destroyed the real estate firm where she is employed in Pacific Palisades. A new weather advisory has her on high alert.

“When forecasts like this arise, I can’t even rest because I feel like I have to be ready to leap into the car,” King expressed.

Michelle Harrison and her spouse lost their home in the unincorporated region of Los Angeles County, just beyond the Malibu city lines, when the Palisades Fire erupted on January 7th.

At present, Harrison is concerned about individuals who may confront more perilous weather in Malibu this week.

“It’s just heartbreaking,” she said. “We hope that there are enough firefighters present to combat any fires that may ignite in the coming days, and I believe we are preparing for that right now.”

Red flag alerts, which signify perilous fire weather and the swift proliferation of a fire should one ignite, will be in effect for extensive areas of Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura counties starting Monday.

(National Weather Bureau)

This marks a classic Santa Ana wind scenario with winds blowing from the east to northeast, hence Ventura County will be of significant concern.

Regions of utmost concern in Los Angeles County encompass the western San Fernando Valley, Calabasas, Agoura Hills, the western San Gabriel Mountains, and the Grapevine segment of Interstate 5.

Inhabitants must secure outdoor items such as patio sets. Modify your travel schedule between Monday night and Tuesday morning. Charge up electronic devices, flashlights, and battery packs. Make sure to fill the fuel tank of the emergency generator. Schoenfeld mentioned he attempted to steer his vehicle clear of trees that appeared ready to snap.

(National Weather Bureau)

Professionals advise against leaving certain items within 5 feet of your residence, including patio furniture, umbrellas, waste bins, and recycling containers. It’s also wise to remove all dead and live weeds, as well as combustible materials like leaves and conifers from gutters, rooftops, decks, porches, and stairways.

“And when winds pick up, keep your distance from trees and windows. Also, be extremely cautious with anything that has the potential to ignite a fire,” Schoenfeld advised.

(National Weather Service)

The weather service indicated that the wind bursts were so intense that they might topple large trucks and trailers, as well as result in power failures that could persist for multiple days. Furthermore, on Sunday evening, county public health authorities released a wind-driven dust and ash warning, mentioning anticipated wind bursts could carry ash throughout the county, diminishing air quality, particularly in downwind regions where there have been recent burn marks. cautioned that it could.

The Meteorological Bureau predicts extremely arid conditions this week, with Tuesday projected to be the driest. Relative humidity levels may drop to 5% in the western San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita, Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, and Fillmore.

Schoenfeld remarked that concerns regarding fire weather will persist during this week, with heightened Santa Ana winds possible by Thursday. The Meteorological Bureau might lift the red flag alert on Tuesday or prolong it until Thursday.

There is a possibility of rain over the course of about a week. However, at this juncture, it does not seem to be the kind of substantial rainfall necessary to conclude the fire season, noted Schoenfeld.

Schoenfeld mentioned that the likelihood of rain from January 25 to January 27 is around 50 to 70 percent, with a 20 to 30 percent chance of thunderstorms.

“It doesn’t appear that it will be the type of rain that adequately saturates a large segment of the region,” Schoenfeld stated. “This is honestly unfortunate news for the impending fire season.”

Times staff writers Melody Gutierrez and Libor Janney contributed to this report.