Red flag criteria is generally when relative humidity is at 15% or less, combined with sustained winds and/or gusts of 25 mph or greater. Both of these conditions must occur simultaneously for at least 3 hours in a 12 hour period, according to the NWS.

Another round of Santa Ana winds has moved into Southern California and will spread south through San Diego County late Thursday. The additional dry air also is expected to worsen the region’s already very low humidity levels,

A short reprieve in the strong destructive winds has granted firefighters an opportunity to curb the spread of the deadly Eaton Fire near Pasadena.