The National Weather Service has issued an extreme red flag warning for most of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, beginning on 11 p.m. Tuesday through 6 p.m. Thursday. La Mirada, home to Biola’s campus, is one of the cities under the warning. The warning follows hazardous weather conditions brought up by the Santa Ana winds and low humidity.

The Getty Fire sparked this morning, burning next to the 405 freeway near the Getty Center, roughly 35 miles from Biola, or an hour’s drive. The fire ignited at 1:30 a.m. Monday and has burned 618 acres, causing mandatory evacuations for about 10,000 homes. At least eight homes have been destroyed and five more damaged. 

Low humidity and strong winds from the northeast could push flames from the Getty fire closer to Biola. The worst Santa Ana winds of the season could peak at 70 mph, with humidities as low as 3%. 

As of Monday evening, the fire is 5% contained. 

NEWSOM DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY

The Getty Fire comes just after firefighters announced 70% containment of the Tick Fire in Santa Clarita on Sunday night. The fire broke out in Santa Clarita last Thursday, burning 4,615 acres and destroying 22 structures. The fire threatened an additional 10,000 homes and buildings, but all evacuation orders have been lifted. Santa Clarita is the home to Six Flags Magic Mountain, about 50 miles from campus. 

The state’s northern region is also battling wildfires, as the Kincade Fire in the Bay Area has burned roughly 66,000 acres since it began Wednesday night. At least 96 structures were destroyed and 185,000 people have been evacuated from the area. The fire is 5% contained as of Monday evening.

As a result of the fires, Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in Los Angeles and Sonoma counties.