Santa Ana winds: High winds likely in the Valley, Hollywood Hills, Malibu

Santa Ana winds were expected to give the San Gabriel Valley a break Thursday night, but were expected to hit San Fernando Valley, Hollywood Hills and the Malibu area.

Already on Thursday afternoon, Malibu Canyon saw a wind gust of 52 mph; Newhall Pass, 56 mph; and in the mountains north of San Fernando, 70 mph.

"We're still concerned about downed trees and lines," said Bonnie Bartling, specialist for the National Weather Service.

PHOTOS: Santa Ana winds | Submit your photos

The Santa Ana winds late Wednesday were unusual because they came from the north, focusing on the San Gabriel Valley. In contrast, Thursday night's Santa Ana winds will be more typical, where the winds are blowing in from the northeast.

Driving conditions are likely to be difficult along the 5 and 14 freeway corridors around the Newhall Pass in the Santa Clarita Valley area.

Much of L.A. County was under a red flag warning, with conditions ripe for wildfires because of the high winds and low humidity.

The winds are expected to diminish by Friday midday or afternoon. Another Santa Ana event could arrive Saturday night or Sunday, but is expected to be weaker.

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--- Rong-Gong Lin II

Photo: Trees sprawl across Green Street near Fair Oaks Avenue in Pasadena. Credit: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times