Wildfire Risk Remains High Across Inland Empire

Dry conditions and gusty wind continued to raise the risk of wildfires in Riverside County's mountains and valleys today, meteorologists said.

Red Flag Warnings remained up until 6 p.m. today for the valleys and mountain areas, including the San Jacinto Ranger District of the San Bernardino National Forest.

"A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are occurring or or will shortly," the NWS said. "A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm days will contribute to extreme fire behavior."

A wind advisory for the mountains expired at 2 p.m., although northeast winds of 10-20 mph are expected through this evening with gusts of up to 40 mph.

"Very dry conditions will prevail across the Southland through early evening as the Santa Ana winds continue to weaken," the NWS said. "Although these winds will gradually weaken through tonight and into Monday, breezy, warm and very dry conditions will continue through Tuesday.

NWS forecasters expected the lowest daytime relative humidity to be around 8 percent.

The winds are expected to decrease through Monday, however, forecasters said locally gusty conditions would be possible at times, which could again elevate the risk of wildfire concerns. --City News Service