Red Flag Warning For Sherman Oaks Extended Through Saturday

SHERMAN OAKS, CA — A red flag warning has been issued for Sherman Oaks, with favorable fire conditions expected to hit the region once again. The warning went into effect at 4 p.m. Thursday and will last until 4 p.m. Saturday, unless extended.

National Weather Service forecasts that Santa Ana winds will return today, while a high pressure system will bring warm and dry conditions with humidity plummeting to 10% or even 5%.

Dry conditions are expected to continue until at least Saturday. Wind gusts could reach as high as 50 mph, according to the NWS.

"North to northeast winds will form over Los Angeles and Ventura counties on Thursday and continue through Friday, with dry air descending over the region starting late Thursday afternoon or night," according to the NWS. "Along with persistently dry fuels, this combination of wind and humidity will result in critical fire weather conditions over the valleys and mountains of Los Angeles and Ventura counties Thursday afternoon through Friday afternoon, with a chance of needing to be extended into Saturday. There is also a chance that the coastal areas will need to be added."

Forecasters said winds are expected to die down Saturday night through Sunday, but they'll pick up again Monday through Tuesday or Wednesday, "with a growing potential for moderate to strong winds and red flag conditions."

Warm weather is on tap for the long weekend, with temperatures expected to climb to 88 on Friday. Saturday should see a high of 86 degrees, while Sunday's forecast is sunny skies and 85 degrees.

Martin Luther King Day will mark the beginning of a return to colder weather, with a forecast of 75 degrees and an overnight low of 49 degrees.

City News Service contributed to this report.