L.A. canyon home burns, tree falls on railroad tracks in Anaheim as Santa Ana winds kick up

Gusty Santa Ana winds are expected to kick up again Sunday morning, March 8, raising concerns about fires, downed trees, power outages and hazardous travel for high-profile vehicles, forecasters said.

On Saturday, a fire raged at a three-story, hillside home in Laurel Canyon, where over 100 firefighters extinguished the blaze in the main house, the exterior of an adjacent building and surrounding vegetation in one hour and 13 minutes, LAFD said in a news release. No injuries were reported.

In Anaheim, a tree fell across some railroad tracks. Several small wildfires broke out around the region.

On Sunday, temperatures are expected to rise to near 90 degrees in the warmer valley areas, and the 80s in many other areas, according to the National Weather Service.

“Minor to moderate heat impacts will be possible, mainly for outdoor workers and those without air conditioning,” the NWS said.

A heat advisory will be in effect from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday in much of Los Angeles County, and a wind advisory is in effect until 3 p.m. Sunday.

Monday’s highs are expected to drop significantly, into the low 70s, before rising again on Wednesday and once again reaching the 80s on Thursday.

The winds peaked Saturday morning, with gusts from 60 to 70 mph observed across the San Gabriel, Santa Susana and Santa Monica mountains, as well as in Malibu.

The strong gusts might have contributed to the handful of scattered fires that broke out across LA County on Saturday, but no injuries were reported.

Forecasters said Sunday’s wind event will not be as strong, and will become more easterly in direction, with gusts mostly in the 35 to 50 mph range.

“Briefly cooler conditions are likely early next week, with another warm and dry spell expected to start on Wednesday and continue through at least Friday,” the NWS added.