Latest news with #Kittell
The Hindu
05-07-2025
- Climate
- The Hindu
California's largest blaze in 2025 explodes in size as hot weather raises wildfire risk Statewide
A wildfire in a wilderness area of central California exploded in size as dry, hot weather Thursday raised the fire risk for large portions of the State ahead of the July Fourth holiday. The Madre Fire became California's largest blaze so far this year, ripping through grasslands after breaking out Wednesday in southeastern San Luis Obispo County. It swiftly grew to more than 82 square miles (212 square kilometers). It was just 10% contained by Thursday evening. Evacuation orders and warnings were issued for tiny communities near State Route 166 as flames moved through hilly terrain toward the Carrizo Plain National Monument, about 45 miles (72 kilometers) east of Santa Maria. The region about 125 miles (200 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles contains vast grasslands that draw visitors in the spring to see its wildflowers. Part of Route 166 East was closed Thursday, and there was 'no estimate for re-opening,' California Department of Transportation, known as Caltrans, said on social media. The fire was pushed by summer gusts that typically increase as the sun starts going down, said meteorologist Ryan Kittell with the National Weather Service. 'The winds are pretty light during the day, but they do pick up pretty substantially in the afternoon and evening hours,' Kittell said. He said gusts could reach 40 mph (64 kph) later in the day Thursday, posing new challenges for firefighters working in 95-degree F heat (35 C). Dozens of smaller wildfires were burning across the State. Southern California's Wolf Fire reached 55% containment Thursday after charring more than 3.7 square miles (9.5 square kilometers) of dry brush since breaking out June 29 in Riverside County east of Los Angeles. Unrelated to the wildfires, a fire burned four homes in the Pacoima neighborhood before being brought under control Thursday night. Fireworks were exploding when crews arrived at the scene and a woman was transported to a hospital in critical condition, the Los Angeles Times reported.
LeMonde
04-07-2025
- Climate
- LeMonde
California's Madre Fire expands to become the state's largest blaze this year
A wildfire in a wilderness area of central California exploded in size as dry, hot weather on Thursday, July 3, raised the fire risk for large portions of the state ahead of the July Fourth holiday. The Madre Fire became California's largest blaze so far this year, ripping through grasslands after breaking out in southeastern San Luis Obispo County on Wednesday. It swiftly grew to more than 212 square kilometers. It was just 10% contained by Thursday evening. Evacuation orders and warnings were issued for tiny communities near State Route 166 as flames moved through hilly terrain toward the Carrizo Plain National Monument, about 72 kilometers east of Santa Maria. The region, located about 200 kilometers northwest of Los Angeles, contains vast grasslands that draw visitors in the spring to see its wildflowers. Part of Route 166 East was closed Thursday, and there was "no estimate for re-opening," the California Department of Transportation said on social media. The fire was pushed by summer gusts that typically increase as the sun starts going down, said meteorologist Ryan Kittell with the National Weather Service. "The winds are pretty light during the day, but they do pick up pretty substantially in the afternoon and evening hours," Kittell said. He said gusts could reach 64 kph later in the day on Thursday, posing new challenges for firefighters working in 35°C heat. Fires across the state Dozens of smaller wildfires were burning across the state. Southern California's Wolf Fire reached 55% containment on Thursday, after charring more than 9.5 square kilometers of dry brush since breaking out in Riverside County, east of Los Angeles, on June 29. Unrelated to the wildfires, a fire burned four homes in the Pacoima neighborhood before being brought under control on Thursday night. Fireworks were exploding when crews arrived at the scene, and a woman was transported to a hospital in critical condition, the Los Angeles Times reported.
04-07-2025
- Climate
California's largest blaze this year explodes in size as hot weather raises wildfire risk statewide
LOS ANGELES -- A wildfire in a wilderness area of central California exploded in size as dry, hot weather Thursday raised the fire risk for large portions of the state ahead of the July Fourth holiday. The Madre Fire became California's largest blaze so far this year, ripping through grasslands after breaking out Wednesday in southeastern San Luis Obispo County. It swiftly grew to more than 82 square miles (212 square kilometers). It was just 10% contained by Thursday evening. Evacuation orders and warnings were issued for tiny communities near State Route 166 as flames moved through hilly terrain toward the Carrizo Plain National Monument, about 45 miles (72 kilometers) east of Santa Maria. The region about 125 miles (200 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles contains vast grasslands that draw visitors in the spring to see its wildflowers. Part of Route 166 East was closed Thursday, and there was 'no estimate for re-opening,' California Department of Transportation, known as Caltrans, said on social media. The fire was pushed by summer gusts that typically increase as the sun starts going down, said meteorologist Ryan Kittell with the National Weather Service. 'The winds are pretty light during the day, but they do pick up pretty substantially in the afternoon and evening hours,' Kittell said. He said gusts could reach 40 mph (64 kph) later in the day Thursday, posing new challenges for firefighters working in 95-degree F heat (35 C). Dozens of smaller wildfires were burning across the state.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Thunderstorms sweep across SoCal, with lightning bringing risk of fire-starts
An unseasonable series of thunderstorms were sweeping across Southern California on Tuesday, bringing with them the potential for fire-starting lightning strikes in areas with limited rainfall. In the Los Angeles area, storms gathered around the San Gabriel Mountains in the morning before descending into urban areas and traveling southwest across the region and along the coast, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Ryan Kittell. Every part of L.A. is within earshot of thunder today, he said. The storms have brought significant thunder and lightning but generally have been accompanied by light rainfall, a tenth of an inch or less. "It is kind of a dry lightning setup where you get the lightning that could start a fire but not the rain that would put it out," he said. "Thankfully so far we haven't seen any reports of any fire. We hope it stays that way." In addition to posing the risk of igniting a wildfire, lightning also poses a danger to human and animal health. "Almost 100 people are killed every year from being struck by lightning in this country," said Kittell. "Definitely heed nature's warning call when you hear that thunder and find shelter." Fortunately, the lighter rainfall levels have decreased the risk of a debris flow taking place in the Eaton and Palisades fire burn scars, a possibility forecasters warned of Monday. But the storm system is bringing heavier rains farther inland, and the Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for San Bernardino County, where some areas had collected up three-quarters of an inch of rain by 4:30 p.m. The heaviest rainfall in the Los Angeles region was in higher mountain regions, with Mt. Baldy recording 0.31 inches of rain by 4:30 p.m., Kittell said. Tuesday's storms are a rare occurrence as the Southland typically sees the bulk of its thunderstorms in August and September. "It's really an unusual low pressure system pulling in this moist, tropical air from Mexico," said Kittell. "We just don't see that kind of system move through our area this time of the year." The storms are forecast to continue rolling through Southern California on Tuesday evening before gradually exiting the region by around 10 p.m., Kittell said. Wednesday will also see high humidity and the chance of scattered showers. More typical June weather is forecast to return Thursday, with a marine layer hovering over the coast and moderate temperatures across the Los Angeles County. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Miami Herald
20-05-2025
- Climate
- Miami Herald
A heat wave is hitting Southern California starting Tuesday. Here's where temperatures will soar
LOS ANGELES - Southern California is bracing for a surge of summerlike heat this week, with inland temperatures expected to climb into the 90s and potentially hit triple digits in parts of the San Fernando Valley, according to the National Weather Service. "This will be a noticeable warm-up, especially Tuesday through Thursday," said Ryan Kittell, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard. "Highs between 90 and 100 degrees will be common away from the coast, with a few places possibly reaching record territory." The hottest days are expected to be Wednesday and Thursday and the San Fernando, San Gabriel and Santa Clarita valleys will bear the brunt of the heat in L.A. County. "We're forecasting 100 degrees for the Woodland Hills and Canoga Park area - it's typically our hottest spot," Kittell said. Temperatures are expected to be even more blistering farther inland with a high of 105 degrees forecast in Palm Springs on Thursday, according to the weather service. Coastal areas, which are typically cooled by the ocean breeze, may also flirt with record highs. Los Angeles International Airport is forecast to hit 78 degrees Wednesday, which would match its current "fairly low-hanging fruit" record for May 21, Kittell said. Long Beach Airport is expected to hit 87 degrees, also a potential record-tying high, and Santa Barbara could match its previous historical high of 79 degrees. Although the coast will feel unseasonably warm, Kittell emphasized that the real danger is inland. "That's where we want people to take note and adjust their plans, especially Wednesday and Thursday," he said. People in those areas are advised to avoid strenuous outdoor activity from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on high-heat days. There were several heat-related rescues made on hiking trails when temperatures soared in Southern California this month. At least 15 people in Orange County and nine people in Riverside County were rescued May 10 when the mercury rose into the high 90s. In Los Angeles, a hiker had to be airlifted from the Hollywood Hills due to heat exhaustion. Monday was a toasty preview for the rest of the week. Downtown Los Angeles hit 77 degrees, Woodland Hills got to 88 and it was 97 in Palm Springs by 2 p.m. Monday. Despite the dry heat and some localized gusty winds, the National Weather Service has not issued a red flag warning for widespread fire weather danger. "We're still only about a month out of the rainy season, so most of the bigger plants and trees are still relatively green," Kittell said. "But we are flagging some concern for grass fires in especially dry patches." The high-pressure system responsible for this week's heat wave will begin to break down Friday, which, combined with a push of cooler onshore air, will bring temperatures back to the 70s and low 80s for most of L.A. County. Desert areas will remain hot Saturday and Sunday, but the majority of the Southern California will see much milder weather in time for Memorial Day celebrations. "Just wait it out if you can," Kittell said. "Relief is on the way." Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
