Readers, I've a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.
So Cal is in the midst a rare wind storm that will last through Wednesday. Experts are calling it “destructive” and potentially "life-threatening.” Gusts will range from 50 to 80 miles per hour, and up to 100 mph in some mountain regions.
The following are areas of concern:
Highway 118/210 corridors
San Gabriel/Santa Monica Mountains and Foothills
San Gabriel and San Fernando Valleys
Pasadena
Burbank
San Fernando
Hollywood
Beverly Hills
Simi Valley
Sylmar
Porter Ranch
Altadena
La Crescenta
Malibu
Officials are warning of downed trees, power lines, and overturned big rigs. Combined with low humidity, the wind storm is elevating fire risk. Red flag warnings are in effect for the Malibu coast, the Santa Monica Mountains, the San Gabriel Mountains, the 5 and 14 freeway corridors, Calabasas, and the San Gabriel, San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys. At 4 p.m., the warnings will extend to Los Angeles County beaches, the Palos Verdes Hills, Catalina Island and the inland Los Angeles County coast, stretching into downtown Los Angeles, according to Fox 11 News.
So Cal Edison has released an update on public safety power shutoffs here. Over 400,000 people could be affected by power outages. The City of Pasadena has issued an emergency alert.
"The state is taking early, proactive steps to coordinate with local partners to protect communities as dangerous weather enters our state," Governor Gavin Newsom said in a statement. "We are no strangers to winter-time wildfire threats, so I ask all Californians to pay attention to local authorities and be prepared to evacuate if told to go."
The following actions are being taken, according to a new release from Newsom's office:
- Prepositioning 65 local government fire engines, 7 water tenders, 7 helicopters, 9 dozers and more than 105 specialized personnel in Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties through the state’s Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid System managed by Cal OES.
- Strategically moving CAL FIRE firefighting resources from Northern California into Southern California, including 45 additional fire engines and six additional hand crews to Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties.
- Staffing additional aerial firefighting resources in the region.
- Augmenting regional intelligence, dispatch and investigative resources.
- Coordinating with local fire departments, county emergency managers and weather officials ahead of this extreme weather event, while increasing public messaging to encourage overall community preparedness.
Schools Remain Open
Despite the weather conditions, there have been no widespread reports of school closures in So Cal.
The City of Malibu is urging residents to “stay indoors, away from windows” and “stay off the roads.” However, as of early Tuesday morning, all schools in the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District were expected to be open.
Pasadena Unified Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco said her school district is monitoring the situation.
“With the safety of students and staff in mind, PUSD schools may use a modified ‘rainy day’ schedule during recess, lunch, and physical education,” she added. “Please use caution and follow regular drop-off and pick-up procedures at the school.”
Los Angeles Unified schools also remain open, but several precautions are being taken, according to the district. These include securing loose canopies, tree branches and other objects, and keeping students away from high-risk areas. Outdoor activity is being restricted and construction activities that have the potential to create dust will be suspended.
UPDATE: A fast-moving wildfire has erupted in the Pacific Palisades, threatening homes and lives. Follow updates from NBC News.