Crime & Safety

Expected Santa Ana Winds Prompt Fire Weather Watch Early Friday to Sunday Evening

Santa Ana winds in the forecast have prompted the National Weather Service to issue a fire weather watch from 2 a.m. Friday Oct. 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday Oct. 6.

Strong, gusty winds and low humidity are expected in a watch area that includes mountains on both sides of the San Gorgonio Pass, valleys of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, the Inland Empire, the Mountain Top, Front Country and San Jacinto ranger districts of the San Bernardino National Forest, and the Coachella Valley.

"A moderate strength Santa Ana wind event is shaping up for late Thursday night through the weekend," the Weather Service advised Tuesday morning. "Northeast to east winds sustained 25 to 40 mph . . . with gusts as high as 65 mpg through and below canyons and passes. Winds will peak on Friday night and Saturday . . . then diminish Sunday."

A fire weather watch means critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur, the Weather Service advised. Conditions may prompt red flag warnings later this week.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.