Caution Urged: Wildfire Risk Is High This Weekend Throughout Riverside County

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA – Dry, windy conditions are expected in Riverside County's mountains and deserts this holiday weekend and will likely raise the risk for wildfires.

A National Weather Service red flag warning for the mountains, the San Gorgonio Pass and the Coachella Valley will remain in effect until 8 p.m. tonight.

"A trough of low pressure will move inland through the western states through Monday bringing drier southwest flow aloft and stronger onshore flow," according to the weather service. "This will bring gusty southwest to west winds to the mountains and deserts each afternoon and evening, with humidities in the deserts and desert slopes of the mountains falling to 10 to 15 percent this (Friday) afternoon, and 5 to 10 percent Saturday afternoon."

Winds of 15 to 25 miles per hour and gusts of around 35 to 40 mph are expected each afternoon and evening along mountain ridges and passes, on desert slopes and in the adjacent foothills, according to the NWS. Isolated gusts along the San Gorgonio Pass may reach 50 mph.

Forecasters said any fires that develop amid the dry, windy conditions would likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

"A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures will contribute to extreme fire behavior," according to the NWS.

Afternoon high temperatures are expected to be 84 to 91 degrees in the mountains, 98 to 103 degrees along the San Gorgonio Pass and 101 to 106 in the Coachella Valley.

• Also see: Good News: Bogart Fire Is O-V-E-R With 100% Containment

--City News Service/Bogart Fire photo courtesy of Kelly Martin Photography