Red Flag WarningsSouthern California fire weather & active fires, live
The National Weather Service has 2 Red Flag Warnings in Southern California, for parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, Thu 6:00 AM PDT to Fri 10:00 PM PDT. 2 Fire Weather Watches flag what could come next. Wind: 5 high wind watches and 4 wind advisories. CAL FIRE lists 8 active incidents.
Tap a colored zone for the alert and its hours, or a fire for its size and containment.
1 alert zone(s) have no official outline in the NWS API and are listed below but not drawn.
Zones are the official NWS fire weather and forecast zones named in each alert. Hatched = watch. Circles are CAL FIRE’s active incidents, sized by acres burned. Our map, their data.
In the forecasters’ words
The headline of each NWS fire weather alert, quoted as issued.
HIGH RISK FOR EXTREME FIRE BEHAVIOR WITH ANY NEW FIRE STARTS THURSDAY THROUGH FRIDAY DUE TO MODERATE TO LOCALLY STRONG SANTA ANA WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY
Moderate to locally strong Santa Ana winds will quickly develop on Thursday, peak Thursday afternoon through Friday afternoon, then weaken through the weekend. Meanwhile, dry air will settle over the region and dry out any helpful effects of the recent rains. The previous Fire Weather Watches were upgraded to Red Flag Warnings. Some of the windiest areas may see Red Flag conditions linger into Saturday. As the winds expand Thursday Night into Friday, Red Flag conditions may form over the interior mountains of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties on Friday, where a Fire Weather Watch is now in effect.
Fire weather & wind alerts
By NWS office, Southern California first. Times in Pacific time.
NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard
- Red Flag Warningfrom Thu 6:00 AM PDT to Fri 10:00 PM PDT
RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM THURSDAY TO 10 PM PDT FRIDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR MOST VALLEYS AND COASTS OF LOS ANGELES AND VENTURA COUNTIES
Ventura County Beaches; Ventura County Inland Coast; Central Ventura County Valleys; Malibu Coast; Calabasas and Agoura Hills; Western San Fernando Valley; Eastern San Fernando Valley; Southeastern Ventura County Valleys; Los Angeles County San Gabriel Valley
- Red Flag Warningfrom Thu 6:00 AM PDT to Fri 10:00 PM PDT
RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM THURSDAY TO 10 PM PDT FRIDAY FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE MOUNTAINS OF LOS ANGELES AND VENTURA COUNTIES
Western Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area; Eastern Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area; Santa Susana Mountains; Southern Ventura County Mountains; Northern Ventura County Mountains; Interstate 5 Corridor; Western San Gabriel Mountains and Highway 14 Corridor; Eastern San Gabriel Mountains
- Fire Weather Watchfrom Fri 6:00 AM PDT to Fri 6:00 PM PDT
FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE INTERIOR MOUNTAINS OF SANTA BARBARA AND SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTIES
San Luis Obispo County Mountains; Santa Barbara County Interior Mountains
- High Wind Watchfrom Thu 6:00 AM PDT to Fri 8:00 PM PDT
HIGH WIND WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING
Western Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area; Santa Susana Mountains; Interstate 5 Corridor; Western San Gabriel Mountains and Highway 14 Corridor; Eastern San Gabriel Mountains
- Wind Advisoryfrom Thu 6:00 AM PDT to Fri 8:00 PM PDT
WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM THURSDAY TO 8 PM PDT FRIDAY
Santa Clarita Valley; Central Ventura County Valleys; Eastern Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area; Calabasas and Agoura Hills; Western San Fernando Valley; Eastern San Fernando Valley; Southeastern Ventura County Valleys; Southern Ventura County Mountains; Northern Ventura County Mountains
- Wind Advisoryfrom Thu 6:00 AM PDT to Fri 8:00 PM PDT
WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM THURSDAY TO 8 PM PDT FRIDAY... ...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THURSDAY TO 8 PM PDT SATURDAY
Ventura County Beaches; Ventura County Inland Coast; Malibu Coast
NWS Hanford
- Fire Weather Watchfrom Thu 6:00 AM PDT to Fri 10:00 PM PDT
FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING FOR STRONG WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE KERN COUNTY MOUNTAINS
Tehachapi Area; Fort Tejon
NWS San Diego
- High Wind Watchfrom Thu 6:00 AM PDT to Fri 8:00 PM PDT
HIGH WIND WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING
San Bernardino County Mountains; Riverside County Mountains; San Gorgonio Pass Near Banning
- High Wind Watchfrom Thu 6:00 AM PDT to Fri 8:00 PM PDT
HIGH WIND WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING
San Bernardino and Riverside County Valleys-The Inland Empire
- High Wind Watchfrom Thu 6:00 AM PDT to Fri 8:00 PM PDT
HIGH WIND WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING
Santa Ana Mountains and Foothills
- High Wind Watchfrom Thu 6:00 AM PDT to Sun 12:00 AM PDT
HIGH WIND WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING
San Diego County Inland Valleys; San Diego County Mountains
NWS Phoenix
- Wind Advisoryfrom Thu 11:00 PM PDT to Fri 6:00 AM PDT
WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM MST /11 PM PDT/ THURSDAY TO 6 AM MST /6 AM PDT/ FRIDAY
Parker Valley; Chuckwalla Mountains; Imperial County Southeast; Palo Verde Valley; Chuckwalla Valley
NWS Las Vegas
- Wind Advisoryfrom Thu 8:00 AM PDT to Fri 11:00 AM PDT
WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM PDT / MST THURSDAY TO 11 AM PDT / MST FRIDAY
Lake Havasu and Fort Mohave; Lake Mohave - AZ side; Eastern Mojave Desert, Including the Mojave National Preserve; Cadiz Basin; San Bernardino County-Upper Colorado River Valley; Southern Clark County; Lake Mohave - NV side
Active fires
Every active incident on CAL FIRE’s list, largest first.
| Incident | County | Acres | Containment | Started | CAL FIRE update |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timber FireSoutheast of Loma Vista | Monterey | 25,352 | 97% | Aug 8, 8:35 PM PDT | Oct 9, 4:09 PM PDT |
| Dome FireNorth of Wawona Dome, Yosemite National Park | Mariposa | 6,788 | 95% | Sep 15, 8:28 AM PDT | Oct 13, 5:04 PM PDT |
| Cyrus FireCyrus Canyon Road & Sierra Way, Lake Isabella | Kern | 543 | 90% | Oct 9, 2:24 PM PDT | Oct 13, 10:17 PM PDT |
| Bike FireCamdria Estates Lane and Ravenhill Road, Santa Clarita | Los Angeles | 172 | 91% | Oct 11, 1:57 PM PDT | Oct 14, 8:28 AM PDT |
| Surgone FireState Highway 169, Surgone | Humboldt | 64 | 40% | Oct 11, 12:25 PM PDT | Oct 14, 7:08 AM PDT |
| Blue FireBlue Horse Road and Saddle Trail, Happy Valley | Shasta | 38 | 85% | Oct 11, 3:25 PM PDT | Oct 14, 8:45 AM PDT |
| Marshall FireMarshall Lane and Highway 96, Hoopa | Humboldt | 12 | — | Oct 11, 5:42 PM PDT | Oct 13, 9:47 AM PDT |
| Horse FirePowerhouse Road, Auberry | Fresno | 8 | 100% | Oct 13, 12:59 PM PDT | Oct 13, 7:48 PM PDT |
Source: CAL FIRE incidents list (active incidents, including those led by other agencies), as published. Acres and containment are CAL FIRE’s figures. fire.ca.gov/incidents
Watch or warning
Red Flag Warning
Take Action.NWS issues a Red Flag Warning, in conjunction with land management agencies, to alert land managers to an ongoing or imminent critical fire weather pattern. NWS issues a Red Flag Warning when fire conditions are ongoing or expected to occur shortly.
NWSFire Weather Watch
Be Prepared.A Watch alerts land managers and the public that upcoming weather conditions could result in extensive wildland fire occurrence or extreme fire behavior. A watch means critical fire weather conditions are possible but not imminent or occurring.
NWSRed Flag Warning: A term used by fire-weather forecasters to call attention to limited weather conditions of particular importance that may result in extreme burning conditions. It is issued when it is an on-going event or the fire weather forecaster has a high degree of confidence that Red Flag criteria will occur within 24 hours of issuance.
Santa Ana Wind: In southern California, a weather condition in which strong, hot, dust-bearing winds descend to the Pacific Coast around Los Angeles from inland desert regions.
Definitions quoted from the National Weather Service: wildfire warnings and watches · NWS glossary.
California right now
Quick questions
Is there a Red Flag Warning in Southern California today?
Yes. As of Oct 14, 10:07 AM PDT the NWS had 2 Red Flag Warnings in Southern California, covering parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, Thu 6:00 AM PDT to Fri 10:00 PM PDT.
What does a Red Flag Warning mean?
The National Weather Service issues it “to alert land managers to an ongoing or imminent critical fire weather pattern”, when fire conditions are ongoing or expected shortly. In practice: any spark can turn into a fast-moving fire. No outdoor burning, no equipment that sparks, and be ready to leave.
What is the difference between a Fire Weather Watch and a Red Flag Warning?
A Fire Weather Watch means critical fire weather conditions are possible but not imminent or occurring: be prepared. A Red Flag Warning means they are ongoing or expected shortly: take action. Those are the NWS definitions.
What are Santa Ana winds?
The NWS glossary defines them as “strong, hot, dust-bearing winds” that descend to the Pacific Coast around Los Angeles from inland desert regions. They are the classic driver of autumn Red Flag Warnings in Southern California.
Can a Red Flag Warning lead to power shutoffs?
They often come together: the same wind and dry air that trigger a Red Flag Warning are what utilities weigh before a Public Safety Power Shutoff. Our PSPS map shows what PG&E, SCE and SDG&E have planned.
Where does this data come from?
NWS alerts come from api.weather.gov with each alert’s own zones; fires come from CAL FIRE’s incident list. We redraw both every 30 minutes and never change an alert.