A powerful and long-duration Santa Ana wind event is expected to persist on Thursday, exacerbating the wildfire situation in Ventura County. The ongoing gusty winds have been a significant factor in the rapid spread of the Mountain Fire, which has already caused damage to homes and triggered evacuations in the area.
The forecast for Thursday indicates that the winds will intensify once again in the Mountain Fire region, with the Storm Prediction Center issuing a critical fire weather risk alert at level 2 out of 3. Sustained winds ranging from 20 to 30 mph, accompanied by gusts of 40 to 50 mph, are anticipated during the morning hours. However, there is some relief expected later in the day as the wind speeds are projected to decrease to 10 to 20 mph, with gusts of 20 to 30 mph in the afternoon.
While Thursday's conditions represent a slight improvement compared to the extremely critical fire weather risk experienced on Wednesday, when the area was under a level 3 out of 3 alert, the situation remains precarious. Wednesday marked the first time since December 2020 that the region faced such an elevated risk level, underscoring the severity of the current fire weather conditions.
Authorities are urging residents in the affected areas to remain vigilant and follow evacuation orders as necessary to ensure their safety. Firefighters continue to battle the blazes amid challenging weather conditions, emphasizing the need for caution and preparedness in the face of the ongoing wildfire threat.
