Fire weather watch affecting Central California Wednesday and Thursday

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A fire weather watch was released by the NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA on Monday at 1:13 p.m. valid from Wednesday 3 p.m. until Thursday 9 a.m. The watch is for Santa Barbara County Southwestern Coast, Santa Barbara County Southeastern Coast, Santa Ynez Mountains Western Range, Santa Ynez Mountains Eastern Range, Santa Barbara County Interior Mountains, Southern Ventura County Mountains, Northern Ventura County Mountains and Interstate 5 Corridor.

Winds are expected to be northwest to north winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts of 45 to 55 mph, strongest in Sundowner wind prone areas of southern Santa Barbara County and relative humidity 10 to 25%.

"Strong northwest to north winds, hot temperatures, and low relative humidity will produce the potential for critical fire-weather conditions late Wednesday through early Thursday," states the NWS. "If fire ignition occurs, conditions are favorable for extreme fire behavior, rapid fire growth, and long range spotting, which could threaten life and property. The hot air mass will also contribute to the potential for significant vertical plume growth."

This watch is in effect until Thursday at 9 a.m.

According to the NWS, a fire weather watch means that critical fire weather conditions are possible. Listen for later forecasts and possible red flag warnings.

Source: The National Weather Service

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This story was originally published July 13, 2026 at 1:17 PM.