Santa Ana Winds Pound Southern California

Clear, warm and windy conditions are in the forecast, bringing the threat of rapidly spreading wildfires

Friday's hot, dry and windy weather led to red flag warnings, indicating increased wildfire threat, in the Los Angeles and Ventura county mountains.

The fire weather warning was scheduled to expire Friday evening, even though winds will begin dying down at mid-day.

In the Santa Monica mountains, a high wind warning indicating gusts of at least 58 mph, was scheduled to be in effect until noon. A less serious wind advisory was scheduled to be in force until noon in the San Fernando, Santa Clarita and San Gabriel valleys and the Los Angeles coastal zone, which includes such beachside cities as Malibu, plus metropolitan Los Angeles, downtown, and the Malibu Hills.

Winds of between 15 and 30 mph with gusts of up to 50-mph were expected in the areas subject to the wind advisory.

A small brush fire broke out Friday morning in the hills above the 5 Freeway near Elysian Park. The grass fire was quickly knocked down above the northbound 110 Freeway tunnel on the edge of Elysian Park. Lanes were closed on the northbound side of the road for fire department vehicles.

The fire might be connected to a homeless encampment in the park.

In Pasadena, strong winds knocked down a tree, blocking off the 1900 block of Sierra Madre Villa Avenue.

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