A wildfire in Malibu that forced people to evacuate and destroyed homes broke out amid a rare weather warning warning of particularly dangerous conditions that increase the risk of fires – and the forecast will remain in place until Tuesday afternoon.

The National Weather Service warned of “damaging” Santa Ana winds with gusts that could reach speeds of up to 40 to 60 miles per hour in coastal areas and valleys of Ventura and Los Angeles counties. It is part of a weather warning known as a Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) Red Flag Warning, a higher level of the typical red flag warning issued for wildfire weather and the same one that was already in effect this was the case devastating mountain fire raced through Ventura County last month.

Normally it is only announced every few years. Forecasters have said. Before the PDS mountain fire warning in November, it was last issued in 2020, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Given the strong winds, the South Coast Air Quality Management District has issued a Windblown Dust Warning – a warning of unhealthy air quality caused by gusts that move dust and soil through the air. It remains in effect until 6pm Tuesday, with a smoke advisory also issued by the Air Quality Authority – due to widespread smoke and ash from the wildfire – valid until Wednesday.

In the warning, forecasters say the hardest-hit parts of Southern California will be the Santa Monica Mountains adjacent to the Malibu coast, the San Gabriel Mountains, the western San Fernando Valley and the valleys of Ventura County, particularly Simi Valley, Moorpark and the Hills above Camarillo to eastern Ventura.

The Santa Clarita Valley, Calabasas and other western areas of Los Angeles County will also be affected, but to a lesser extent.

Under the PDS Red Flag Warning, strong Santa Ana winds blowing through the region, along with extremely low humidity, increasing the risk of wildfires starting and spreading, are forecast to continue until 2 p.m. Tuesday become. A regular red flag warning is in effect in the same areas until 6pm on Wednesday, with conditions posing less risk and potential danger.

Red flag warnings are in effect until 2pm on Wednesday in other parts of the region.

“A strong, widespread and prolonged event in Santa Ana will bring widespread critical to extremely critical fire weather conditions across many areas of Los Angeles and Ventura counties through Wednesday,” the National Weather Service warning reads, noting Santa Ana winds are expected to peak Tuesday afternoon.

The coastal areas, foothills and mountains of Ventura County and adjacent portions of LA County are expected to bear the brunt of damaging winds, with gusts reaching up to 60 to 80 mph coupled with extremely low humidity .

“Given the threat of damaging wind gusts in these windier corridors, there is an increased risk of downed trees and power lines, as well as power outages,” the warning said.

The Franklin Fire in Malibu broke out amid the relatively rare weather warning. Sparks formed around 10:45 p.m Monday near the Pepperdine University campus before homes burned and people were forced to evacuate.