As per reports, National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Red Flag Warning for portions of Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties, effective until 0900 hours local time (1600 hours UTC) on Thursday (16 July), due to a combination of hot temperatures, low relative humidity, and strong northwesterly to northerly winds creating critical fire weather conditions.

• The warning covers the Santa Barbara County Southwestern Coast, Santa Barbara County Southeastern Coast, Santa Ynez Mountains (Western and Eastern Ranges), Santa Barbara County Interior Mountains, Southern Ventura County Mountains, Northern Ventura County Mountains, and the Interstate 5 Corridor.
• Forecast conditions include northwest to north winds of 20-30 miles per hour (32-48 kilometre per hour) with gusts of 30-50 miles per hour (48-80 kilometre per hour), with the strongest winds expected in Sundowner wind-prone areas of southern Santa Barbara County. Relative humidity is forecast to remain between 10 percent and 25 percent, further increasing fire danger.
• According to the NWS, these weather conditions could support extreme fire behaviour, including rapid fire growth, long-range spotting, and significant vertical plume development, should a wildfire ignite. CAL FIRE has urged residents to avoid activities that could generate sparks and to remain prepared to respond quickly if a wildfire develops nearby.