California Will Face Red Flag Fire Warnings
The National Weather Service expects high winds and elevated fire danger across Southern California starting Thursday.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Forecasts
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The National Weather Service will implement red flag warnings for Southern California on Thursday and Friday. These conditions are arriving as temperatures begin rising across the state.
Why it matters
Santa Ana wind conditions will combine with warm and dry weather to create a significant risk of wildfires. The high fire danger is expected to persist as temperatures remain above normal through Sunday.
Meteorologists are tracking wind gusts reaching 40 to 50 mph in the high desert and mountains, with 35 to 50 mph gusts anticipated for the Inland Empire and Orange County. A Fire Weather Watch remains in effect on Friday from 3 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The players
National Weather Service
This federal agency is responsible for providing weather forecasts, warnings of hazardous weather, and other weather-related products to organizations and the public.
The details
Conditions will shift as temperatures begin climbing on Wednesday and stay elevated through the weekend. The warnings follow the conclusion of a coastal flooding advisory that impacted south-facing beaches, including Long Beach and Newport Beach, late last week.
Timeline
Late last week, a coastal flood advisory began for the Southern California coast.
The coastal flood advisory officially concluded at 2 p.m. on Tuesday.
Temperatures across the region will begin a warming trend on Wednesday.
Red flag warnings and high Santa Ana wind conditions occur Thursday and Friday.
Above-normal temperatures will persist until Sunday.
Seasonal Patterns
This forecast follows the established thresholds for the National Weather Service's Fire Weather Watch criteria. The projected Santa Ana wind event aligns with historical autumn weather patterns that frequently bring elevated fire risk to the region.
Residents in high-risk areas like the high desert, Simi Valley, and Malibu should prepare emergency kits and stay updated on local evacuation orders. Use caution outdoors during the Thursday and Friday wind events to minimize the risk of accidental fire ignition.
The takeaway
The combination of rising temperatures and high wind speeds creates a dangerous environment for fire spread. Residents should monitor local weather bulletins through Sunday to remain informed of any changing hazard levels.
Further reading
For more information on upcoming weather alerts, visit the California Forecasts page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBS News.
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