Gusty, Dry Winds Move Into Southern California

Published January 8, 2012 8:18PM (EST)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Gusty, dry winds have moved into Southern California, increasing the potential for wildfires.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department says it has up to 300 additional employees on standby as the winds bring low humidity and high temperatures — conditions ripe for fast-moving brush fires.

Fire crews are enforcing parking bans on some narrow hillside roads in fire-prone neighborhoods. Cars in the way of fire engines can be ticketed or towed away.

The National Weather Service says the offshore winds, which began late Saturday, will continue through late Sunday afternoon, when "red flag" warning for fire danger are set to expire.

The weather service reports gusts exceeding 70 mph in some mountain areas.

The California Highway Patrol says several trucks were blown over on Interstate 10 in San Bernardino County.


By Salon Staff

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