Millions in California Face Blackouts as Devil Winds Hit Hurricane Strength

Millions across California face blackout warnings as furious devil winds approach hurricane strength. These gusts could hit 80 miles per hour, threatening to knock down power lines and ignite deadly wildfires. More than 20 million people lie in the path of this dangerous weather system starting Thursday. The storms will likely last through the weekend, bringing real danger to homes and vehicles alike.

Forecasters say these Santa Ana winds are already sweeping Southern California. Dry, hot air is rushing into Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange, San Diego, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties. High pressure builds up in Northern California, Nevada, and Utah before driving dry gusts southward. As the air drops from the mountains to the Pacific Coast, it gets significantly hotter and drier.

Temperatures are expected to skyrocket into the 90s for Los Angeles and San Diego. AccuWeather warns that wind speeds could potentially reach 90 miles per hour at their peak. Such force can blow trucks off roadways and tear through roofs. The National Weather Service is urging residents throughout the region to brace for possible blackouts by midnight on Saturday.

NWS officials issued a stark statement regarding the immediate threat. Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines, they said. Widespread power outages are expected across the affected areas. This scenario leaves families without electricity as temperatures climb. The situation demands serious preparation from every homeowner in the path of these storms.

Travel becomes a nightmare, particularly for large or high-profile vehicles, as the weather turns dangerous. The Santa Ana winds earn their nickname of 'devil winds' because they spike the risk of flying sparks that ignite deadly wildfires across California. These strong, high-pressure air currents rush from inland deserts toward the coast after passing through the Santa Ana Canyon in Orange County. Forecasts predict temperatures in Los Angeles and San Diego will climb back into the 90s through the weekend.

The phenomenon has a dark history of triggering catastrophic blazes throughout Southern California. In January 2025, these specific conditions brought winds between 60 and 100mph, very low humidity, and local droughts that fueled the Eaton, Hughes and Palisades Fires. Those disasters destroyed nearly 50,000 acres across Los Angeles County and reportedly killed at least 30 people. The same dangerous mix has already connected to one blaze this month in 2025.

Power outages have become a direct threat because they raise the risk of new wildfires starting over the next three days. AccuWeather issued a statement warning that utilities may temporarily shut off electricity in areas facing dangerous fire weather to reduce the risk of power equipment sparking wildfires. A mid-October heat wave is set to break out in Southern California as well, with temperatures jumping into the 90s in downtown Los Angeles. This marks the second heat wave of the month for the area.

While the devil winds might be slightly less intense within the immediate Los Angeles metro areas, nearby communities will quickly dry out under these hot and arid conditions. The National Weather Service warned that if a fire does ignite, conditions will be favorable for extreme fire behavior which would threaten life and property. Santa Ana wind gusts are expected to surpass 75mph, matching the speed of a Category 1 hurricane.

Most of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties have been placed under a Red Flag Warning from Thursday morning until Saturday at 8pm local time, or 11pm ET. This alert means conditions are right for even a tiny spark to potentially set off a major fire that spreads rapidly over hundreds or thousands of acres. Fire danger zones include the Santa Monica Mountains, San Gabriel Mountains, Santa Susana Mountains, Ventura County mountains, Antelope Valley foothills, Santa Clarita Valley, San Fernando Valley, Malibu Coast, Calabasas/Agoura Hills as well as several nearby valleys and coastal areas.

Residents have been urged to use extreme caution while handling anything that could start a fire, including outdoor burning, sparks from equipment, vehicles and lighting cigarettes. The NWS warned people living near wildland areas should be ready to evacuate quickly if a fire starts. The devil winds are expected to peak on Friday, with forecast maps showing widespread areas between San Diego and Los Angeles reaching 60mph.