RIVERSIDE (CNS) - With the autumn season's first significant Santa Ana wind event forecast this week, state and local officials on Tuesday advised Riverside County residents to be prepared for wildfires and do what they can to prevent them.
The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning, meaning "critical fire weather'' stemming from extremely low relative humidity is anticipated for the duration of the easterly winds.
The warning is in effect from 3 a.m. Thursday to 6 p.m. Friday throughout California. The Weather Service said a ridge of high pressure will begin to settle over the Great Basin in Nevada and Utah mid-week, churning up offshore winds that will be particularly fierce in mountains and passes.
Winds of 20-30 mph are likely to be the norm in the Inland Empire, with is
