This Santa Ana round looks smaller on paper, but the hills and their history say otherwise
Santa Ana winds are sweeping across Southern California this weekend, and Southern California Edison is considering shutting off power to nearly 5,000 customers to keep its lines from sparking a wildfire. As of Friday morning, the utility listed 4,639 customers in Los Angeles County and 297 in Ventura County for possible shutoffs.
The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning from 2 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday for the Santa Monica Mountains, the Santa Susana Mountains, the Santa Clarita Valley, the western San Gabriel Mountains and the Highway 14 corridor. Forecasters expect sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph, with isolated gusts of 45 to 55 mph. They warned that if a fire starts, it could spread with extreme behavior that threatens lives and property.
Why is Santa Ana fire danger still high after recent rain?
The recent rain helped, but not enough. The weather service said live fuel moisture, a measure of the water inside living plants, is still between 65% and 80%. That leaves hillside brush dry enough to catch fast.
Farther south, the National Weather Service in San Diego posted on X that weak to locally moderate Santa Ana winds would keep the coast warm and dry, peaking Saturday morning. Gusts in Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties could reach 25 to 35 mph and hit 40 mph in mountain passes and canyons. The winds are expected to weaken Sunday.
Why could Santa Ana shutoffs hit harder this year?
Nearly 5,000 customers sounds small. During a Santa Ana event on Oct. 16, Edison cut power to more than 70,000 customers across Los Angeles and Ventura counties. During the January 2025 windstorms, Edison’s own report counted more than 363,000 customers who lost power on purpose.
Edison’s approach has also changed. The City of Moorpark, which has faced shutoffs every year since 2019, says Edison planned to use lower thresholds for cutting power in 2026. The utility also said it would send fewer warnings but follow through more often when it does. That means a shutoff notice this year is more likely to end with the power actually going off.
The October winds also fed the Norte Fire. It broke out Oct. 16 in San Clemente and spread into San Juan Capistrano. The fire burned 570 acres, damaged or destroyed seven homes and forced thousands of people to evacuate.
Why does this Santa Ana warning hit home in Altadena?
The western San Gabriel Mountains, one of the areas under Saturday’s warning, rise directly above Altadena. In January 2025, the Eaton Fire tore through that community during a Santa Ana windstorm. For generations, Altadena was one of the few places in the Los Angeles area where Black families could buy homes and build wealth, back when other neighborhoods kept them out. Many of those families lost the homes they had passed down.
Edison has said its equipment may have been involved in starting the Eaton Fire. So when the utility talks about shutoffs in those foothills, people there pay close attention. For families still recovering, a windy Saturday brings back a lot.
What should Santa Ana residents do right now?
Check Southern California Edison’s outage map to see whether your address is in a possible shutoff zone. Charge your phone and any medical devices, and keep a flashlight within reach. Make sure everyone in the house knows the evacuation route.
People in warning areas should avoid anything that could throw a spark outdoors, including mowing dry grass and using power tools. One small spark can turn into a disaster in these conditions.
Relief may be coming. Forecasters are tracking several Pacific storms, and showers could arrive late next week. Until then, the hills stay dry and the next few hours of wind matter most.
