By Mary Gilbert | CNNA vegetation fire in California’s Riverside County exploded in size as it was stoked by hot and dry Santa Ana winds, scorching multiple structures and forcing thousands of people to flee their homes. Just seven hours later, the fire had grown to more than 1,200 acres, according to Cal Fire. Extremely dry air and strong winds in California on Monday and Tuesday combined to fuel rapid fire spread. Winds gusted over 50 mph near the fire, driven by a Santa Ana event which began over the weekend across parts of Southern California. Santa Ana winds, nicknamed for the Southern California mountain range, are seasonal hot and dry winds that develop when air flows from east to west — something it’s prone to do there in the fall and winter.

Source: CNN November 01, 2023 10:03 UTC