100-Degree Temperatures And High Winds Present Danger In California
While the World Series games at Dodger Stadium will set a heat record, fans will face little threat from potential fires that might sweep through the Los Angeles area.
L.A., is under an Excessive Heat Wave Warning as the World Series opens between the Dodgers and Houston Astros, with Games 1 and 2 in Dodger Stadium on Tuesday and Wednesday. Hot Santa Ana winds are blowing and that always poses a fire danger in Southern California.
But fans at Dodger Stadium should have little to worry about, according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Brian Edwards.
“Dodger Stadium is just on the northern side of Downtown L.A. and fans at the game will not experience much wind with this Santa Ana wind event compared to the mountains, canyons, and northeast/southwest oriented passes around the Downtown area.” Edwards said.
“Downtown L.A. is protected from the strongest winds in this type of event so while it may be a little breezy, 15-20 mph gusts, it won’t be anything like what they will experience in the more wind-prone areas.
“For the fire threat, there is absolutely a risk anywhere downtown and around Dodger Stadium just due to the low relative humidity values and the very dry conditions. The risk is less compared to those areas experiencing the stronger winds and also it wouldn’t prompt as urgent a reaction since the winds are lighter.
“But the risk is there, just a little less than more wind-prone locations. All fire is dangerous so certainly something sparking near the stadium couldn’t be ruled out.”
According to AccuWeather, heat throughout the Los Angels area will build as winds rush downhill from the mountains toward the coast.
“Gusts can reach 70 mph in some of the north- and east-facing canyons and passes in Southern California,” according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Jake Sojda.
The combination of surging temperatures, increasingly dry air and gusty winds could lead to rapidly spreading wildfires, perhaps similar to that experienced in Northern California about two weeks ago, he added.
Northern California, already battered by the recent Wine Country Fires, are also at risk for enhanced fire weather.
Wildfires have burned than 245,000 acres and at least 42 people have been killed and 8,400 structures destroyed, according to CalFire.
The Tubbs Fire that devastated the Santa Rosa area is now the most destructive wildfire in California’s history. That blaze alone destroyed at least 5,300 structures, burned 36,432 acres and killed 22 people.
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