California fires weather forecast: Fire danger expected to increase as winds pick up

There has been a break from the strongest winds in Southern California over the past 24 hours, but winds are expected to pick up Saturday night, increasing the risk of fire again

The wildfire forecast for Saturday has been upgraded to “Critical” for much of Southern California as dry, gusty winds fan the flames.

Wind alerts, including a high wind warning, are in effect for much of the Los Angeles area as the next round of Santa Ana winds arrives.

Northeast winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts as high as 65 mph are expected Saturday night.

Another high wind event is expected between Monday night and Wednesday, which could once again cause the fire to spread rapidly.

Smoke has significantly reduced air quality throughout the Los Angeles area and there won’t be much improvement until these fires are put out.

Southern California is not out of the woods yet when it comes to fire danger.

At least 11 people have died as a result of the devastating fires. The two largest are the Palisades Fire, which ravaged the coastal community of Pacific Palisades, and the Eaton Fire, which burned house after house in Altadena.

As of Saturday morning, the 21,596-acre Palisades fire was 11 percent contained and the 14,117-acre Eaton fire was 15 percent contained, according to Cal Fire.