Gusty winds triggered power outages and knocked over trees in multiple neighborhoods across the Los Angeles area on Monday.
“Our crews are responding and working in dangerous conditions,” the L.A. Department of Water and Power said in a 5:33 a.m. tweet.
According to the utility’s outage map, more than 5,200 customers lost electricity in Venice, and more than 2,000 in the Vermont Square neighborhood of South L.A.
Just after 1:30 p.m., LADWP said crews have restored power to Venice, the Historic South-Central, Harvard Park and Beverly Grove.
“They will continue to work quickly and safely to restore remaining customers across the city,” the utility said.
LADWP’s website has the latest information on outages.
Red flag warning
The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning effective Sunday night through Monday, with 25 to 40 mph winds forecast to gust 40 to 60 mph amid dry and hot conditions.
The risk for fire will remain high through Tuesday, NWS said.
The weather service urged residents across the L.A. area to brace for the possibility of quick-growing fires and be ready to evacuate if told by officials. They also asked anyone to report any unattended smoke or blaze.
The winds knocked down a large tree in North Hollywood, and the California Highway Patrol said drivers of high-profile vehicles on the 5 Freeway in the Newhall area should be careful.
In Castaic, firefighters early Monday battled a wind-driven fire that had scorched about 75 acres by 7 a.m. Winds blew at about 28 mph in the area.
Smaller brush fires also erupted in Eagle Rock, El Sereno and the Sepulveda Basin, but firefighters managed to quickly gain control of them.
