California wildfires spread amid strong winds; over 150,000 customers without power

Southern California is currently grappling with wildfires, prompting evacuation orders in several communities and causing widespread power outages. (Pic Credit: Reuters)

Several wildfires were burning across Southern California on Friday as hot, dry and windy weather heightened fire danger, prompting evacuations and leaving more than 150,000 electricity customers across California without power.A fast-moving blaze in Malibu, a coastal community west of Los Angeles, triggered evacuation orders and warnings across a large part of the Santa Monica Mountains. Thick black smoke billowing over the hills was visible on nearby cameras and from locations several miles away.Wind gusts of up to 30 mph (48 kph) were recorded early Friday, with stronger winds expected later, the National Weather Service said, according to the Associated Press. Falling humidity levels were adding to the dangerous fire conditions.“This will favour a critical fire weather threat,” the weather service warned early Friday.More than 285 firefighters battled the Bryson Fire overnight as it spread across approximately 200 acres (81 hectares). The blaze threatened a juvenile detention and rehabilitation facility in Los Angeles County, which was evacuated on Thursday night. Fire officials were expected to provide an update on Friday morning.Fire crews were also working to contain two other blazes that broke out on Thursday afternoon, prompting evacuation orders in Azusa, north of Los Angeles, and at Camp Pendleton, near San Diego.More than 150,000 customers across Northern, Central and Southern California were without electricity as of Friday, according to http://PowerOutage.com.California’s utilities have increasingly resorted to precautionary power shutdowns during dry and windy weather, as electrical equipment has been linked to some of the state’s most destructive wildfires.The dangerous weather conditions were expected to persist through Saturday.

Santa Ana winds heighten fire danger

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who faced criticism over the city’s handling of the deadly wildfires in January 2025, directed the fire department to pre-position personnel and equipment ahead of the expected winds. The department also sought assistance from the state’s Office of Emergency Services.Rose Schoenfeld, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said elevated fire danger extended across a wide area and urged communities throughout Southern California to remain vigilant.Dry, warm and gusty northeasterly winds, known as Santa Ana winds, were forecast to blow from inland areas towards the coast and offshore. The strongest winds were expected through Friday afternoon.Winds of 20 to 40 mph (32 to 64 kph), with gusts reaching 50 to 70 mph (80 to 113 kph), were forecast in the San Gabriel Mountains in Los Angeles County and the Santa Susana Mountains, which lie largely in Ventura County, Schoenfeld said.Brief periods of critical fire weather conditions were also expected in parts of the Santa Lucia Mountains in San Luis Obispo County.A wind-driven fire in Azusa scorched more than 40 acres (16 hectares) on Thursday, briefly prompting evacuation orders for a neighbourhood in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. Firefighters had halted its spread by mid-afternoon.Further south, a blaze at Camp Pendleton threatened buildings. Military officials said evacuation orders were issued for the base’s Las Flores area before being lifted by Thursday evening.

Power shutdowns affect Northern California

In Northern California, communities in the Sierra Nevada and surrounding foothills began experiencing strong winds, high temperatures and low humidity on Wednesday night.The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for parts of Central and Northern California through Friday morning, cautioning that any fires that broke out could spread rapidly. Such warnings are issued when weather conditions significantly increase the risk of wildfires.Pacific Gas and Electric Company said power interruptions affecting customers from the Central Coast to the northern reaches of the Sierra Nevada could continue until Saturday afternoon.

Wildfire risks persist through the weekend

In Southern California, a red flag warning covering mountainous areas of Ventura and Los Angeles counties remained in effect through Friday night. Hot and windy conditions were expected to continue over the weekend.The latest fires have renewed concerns following the devastating wildfires that struck the Los Angeles area in January 2025.The Palisades Fire, driven by Santa Ana winds, swept through a hillside neighbourhood in Los Angeles, killing 12 people and destroying homes with ocean views. Authorities determined that the blaze was a carryover from an earlier fire that they alleged had been deliberately started by a 29-year-old man.A separate fire in Altadena, also in Los Angeles County, killed 19 people and destroyed more than 9,400 homes and businesses. Officials attributed the blaze to sparks from an idle transmission tower owned by Southern California Edison.Schoenfeld said the forecast Santa Ana winds were not expected to be as powerful as those during the January 2025 fires, when gusts reached 60 to 100 mph (96 to 160 kph).