As California grapples with devastating wildfires, a change in weather patterns offers a glimmer of hope for firefighters battling the blazes. The Kenneth Fire and Palisades Fire have caused widespread destruction and loss of life, but forecasters predict calmer winds and increased humidity over the weekend, aiding firefighting efforts.
Fire danger remains high in parts of Los Angeles that have been ablaze for days, but there is hope that better weather over the weekend will give firefighters battling the flames some much-needed relief. The Kenneth Fire and the Palisades Fire, two of the major blazes currently ravaging Southern California, have forced thousands of people to evacuate and claimed at least 25 lives.
A red flag warning, issued by the National Weather Service from the Central Coast to the border with Mexico, remains in effect from 3 a.m. to 3 p.m. due to critically low humidity levels.The level of humidity affects moisture in soil, trees and other organic matter. When potential fuels are more moist, then fire danger is reduced because they’re less combustible. Forecasters look out for relative humidity — or how much water vapor the air is holding. Fire warnings are issued when relative humidity is 15% or lower, combined with higher wind speeds. Strong winds give oxygen to flames and can dry out vegetation, making it more combustible. While fires will continue even with no wind, they don’t spread as easily, making it easier for firefighters to put them out or for firefighting planes to get in the air to attack from above. Rain or snow can also help put out fires, but often not completely, as that moisture can evaporate quickly.Santa Ana winds, which have been fanning the flames of the California wildfires, will continue Wednesday before tapering off in the evening. “We do have a little bit of wind over the Palisades fire, but it’s not as strong as it was,” said Mike Wofford, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. A shift in weather patterns is expected later in the week, with a return of onshore flow, bringing much-needed moisture from the Pacific Ocean to the region and boosting humidity, which should aid firefighting. That onshore flow will continue through the weekend
CALIFORNIA WILDFIRE FIRE RELIEF WEATHER CONDITIONS SANTA ANA WINDS ONSHORE FLOW HUMIDITY
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