In response to a red flag warning issued by the Storm Prediction Center, an 'extremely critical' fire weather risk level has been designated for over 2 million individuals in Southern California. This heightened risk level is a result of the combination of strong winds and dry air, which are key factors contributing to the increased potential for wildfires.
The Storm Prediction Center categorizes fire weather risk into three levels: elevated, critical, and extremely critical. The severity of the risk level is determined by the intensity of the winds and the level of humidity in the air. When there is a significant deviation from normal climatological conditions, such as dry air and strong winds, the risk level is elevated to 'extremely critical.'
