Today is a blustery day in Los Angeles. The National Weather Service predicts a "life-threatening and destructive" windstorm, with gusts of wind up to 160 kph. Over the last 8 months, southern California hasn't received a rainfall event with more than a few millimeters of precipitation. The landscape is dry and the humidity is expected to drop (currently 20%). A spark from a power line can ignite the extremely flammable brush and then carry embers great distances. "Fire season" used to refer to late August, September and October. In recent years, some of the worst fires in California history happened in November, December and January. With a changing climate there is a need to update our terminology.

While some people might think this is an excuse to hunker down and ride out the storm, I thought this is a reason to break out the antenna. I went up into the hills of the Santa Monica Mountains and captured a pass.

While writing this weather note, I started hearing sirens. A neighbor sent me a text. I hopped on my roof and watched flames come over a ridge (see image 3). Ended up evacuating due to air quality.