Widespread gusty Santa Ana winds impacted Southern California October 29-31, 2023. The strongest wind gusts were reported in the San Bernardino County Mountains through northern portions of the Inland Empire and the Santa Ana Mountains. Very windy and dry conditions led to an environment ripe for wildfire growth. Several small wildfires burned, and the larger Highland Fire burned for over a week in the southern Inland Empire.

High Wind in SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY MOUNTAINS, CALIFORNIA
From 29-OCT-23 07:00:00 to 30-OCT-23 12:00:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 74.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Gusty Santa Ana winds occurred across the San Bernardino County Mountains starting during the early morning hours on October 29, with the highest and most widespread gusts occurring that day into October 30. Widespread wind gusts over 35 mph were recorded in this area. The following are the strongest wind gusts that occurred in the San Bernardino County Mountains:
Marshall Peak (3973'): 85 MPH - highest wind report of the event
Arrowhead Springs (3143'): 79 MPH
Running Springs (5445'): 67 MPH
Lytle Creek South (4652'): 66 MPH.

High Wind in ORANGE COUNTY INLAND, CALIFORNIA
From 29-OCT-23 05:00:00 to 30-OCT-23 10:00:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Gusty Santa Ana winds occurred across inland Orange County starting during the early morning hours on October 29, with the highest and most widespread gusts occurring that day into October 30. Widespread wind gusts over 35 mph were recorded in this area. The following are the strongest wind gusts that occurred across inland Orange County:
Chino Hills (1774'): 58 MPH
Santiago Canyon (830'): 57 MPH
Baker Canyon (1479'): 55 MPH.

Wildfire in SAN BERNARDINO AND RIVERSIDE COUNTY VALLEYS - THE INLAND EMPIRE, CALIFORNIA
From 30-OCT-23 11:37:00 to 31-OCT-23 23:59:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

The Highland Fire started at 12:37 PM on October 30 and burned for eight days before full containment. The fire started under very windy and dry conditions near Aguanga. The fire burned 2487 acres, destroyed 13 structures, damaged 7 further structures and injured two people. Evacuation orders and warnings were issued for surrounding areas. The fire was 100% contained by 1:18 PM on November 7.

Wildfire in SAN DIEGO COUNTY VALLEYS, CALIFORNIA
From 30-OCT-23 13:36:00 to 30-OCT-23 18:00:00 (PST-8)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

The Escala Fire started in the mid-afternoon hours on October 30 at Battle Mountain Open Space east of I-15 near Rancho Bernardo. Evacuation warnings and orders were issued for nearby areas. The fire burned 5 acres and achieved 90% containment several hours after ignition. Two lanes of I-15 were closed due to close proximity of fire.

High Wind in SANTA ANA MOUNTAINS AND FOOTHILLS, CALIFORNIA
From 29-OCT-23 07:00:00 to 31-OCT-23 03:30:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 65.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: RAWS

Gusty Santa Ana winds occurred across the Santa Ana Mountains and Foothills from the morning on October 29 through the early morning hours on October 31. Widespread wind gusts over 35 mph were recorded in this area. The following are the strongest wind gusts that occurred in the Santa Ana Mountains/Foothills:
Fremont Canyon (1780'): 75 MPH
Pleasants Peak (3871'): 67 MPH
Upper Talega (2299'): 58 MPH
Trabuco Canyon (1501'): 57 MPH
Pleasants Peak (3895'): 56 MPH.

High Wind in SAN GORGONIO PASS NEAR BANNING, CALIFORNIA
From 28-OCT-23 04:00:00 to 31-OCT-23 02:30:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 63.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Gusty Santa Ana winds occurred across the San Gorgonio Pass from the morning on October 28 through the early morning hours on October 31. Widespread wind gusts over 35 mph were recorded in this area. The following are the strongest wind gusts that occurred in the San Gorgonio Pass:
Banning (2442'): 72 MPH
Cabazon (1596'): 50 MPH
Whitewater (1681'): 50 MPH
Beaumont (2339'): 50 MPH.

High Wind in SAN DIEGO COUNTY MOUNTAINS, CALIFORNIA
From 29-OCT-23 13:00:00 to 31-OCT-23 04:00:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Utility Company

Gusty Santa Ana winds occurred across the San Diego County Mountains starting during the afternoon hours on October 29, with the highest gusts occurring from the morning on October 30 through the early morning hours on October 31. Widespread wind gusts over 35 mph were recorded in this area. The following are the strongest wind gusts that occurred in the San Diego County Mountains:
Sill Hill (3556'): 64 MPH
Pine Valley Horse Launch (4399'): 61 MPH
Big Black Mountain (4055'): 60 MPH
Crestwood (4087'): 58 MPH
Lucky Five Ranch (4740'): 57 MPH.

High Wind in SAN DIEGO COUNTY VALLEYS, CALIFORNIA
From 29-OCT-23 08:00:00 to 31-OCT-23 03:30:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Gusty Santa Ana winds occurred across the San Diego County Valleys starting during the morning hours on October 29, with the highest gusts occurring from the morning on October 30 through the early morning hours on October 31. Widespread wind gusts over 35 mph were recorded in this area. The following are the strongest wind gusts that occurred in the San Diego County Valleys:
Hauser Mountain (3188'): 60 MPH
Alpine (2796'): 58 MPH
Rancho Heights (2195'): 54 MPH.

High Wind in SAN BERNARDINO AND RIVERSIDE COUNTY VALLEYS - THE INLAND EMPIRE, CALIFORNIA
From 29-OCT-23 07:00:00 to 31-OCT-23 02:00:00 (PST-8)
Magnitude: 66.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Gusty Santa Ana winds occurred across the Inland Empire starting during the early morning hours on October 29, with the highest and most widespread gusts occurring that day into October 30. Widespread wind gusts over 35 mph were recorded in this area. The following are the strongest wind gusts that occurred in the Inland Empire:
Rancho Cucamonga (1876'): 76 MPH
CSU San Bernardino (1602'): 75 MPH
Wildwood Park (2166'): 69 MPH
Devil Canyon (2316'): 67 MPH
Badger Canyon (1703'): 65 MPH.
CalTrans reported an overturned semi-truck on the westbound I-210/I-15 interchange below the Cajon Pass around 10 AM on October 29. A downed tree partially blocked lanes on Calabash Road near I-10 in Fontana around 11:30 AM on October 29. Powerlines were downed across Kimbark Ave just north of Devore around 12:30 PM on October 29.