High winds whip through Coachella Valley, lash Antelope Valley

Damaging winds ripped through parts of California on Wednesday, making highway travel dangerous and raising the fire danger.

Fifty utility poles were blown down late Tuesday in the high desert Antelope Valley.

Southern California Edison said it could take days to replace them.

The National Weather Service reported an 80 mph gust Wednesday on Whitaker Peak in mountains near Interstate 5 north of Los Angeles.

At 4 p.m., the National Weather Service reported sustained winds in Palm Springs at 15 mph with gusts recorded at 30 mph.

Twentynine Palms recorded wind gusts of 36 mph.

The California Department of Transportation advised against travel with trailers and campers.

High wind warnings and advisories were in effect through early Thursday for the Antelope and Santa Clarita valleys and the mountains of Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.

Red flag warnings for fire danger were posted for the south coast of Santa Barbara County due to the powerful gusts and low relative humidity.