HIGH WINDS KEEP SCV ON ALERT; CITY FIRE STAFFING INCREASED.

Byline: Orith Goldberg Staff Writer

High winds that overturned a flatbed truck Friday on the Ronald Reagan Freeway and downed a 45-foot tree in front of the Santa Clarita Valley sheriff's station kept authorities on alert.

A red flag warning issued throughout Los Angeles County as winds gusted to 45 mph and humidity fell to 8 percent also prompted fire officials to beef up staffing to battle fires that could burn faster and stronger in such conditions.

The winds knocked down the tree at the sheriff's station about 12:40 a.m. Friday, damaging a retaining wall near the entrance. No one was injured, officials said.

A fire camp crew from the Pitchess Detention Center worked on cutting and clearing the tree, which had blocked the driveway of the station.

The wind apparently was to blame for a 10:30 a.m. power outage that cut electricity to 271 homes and businesses in the North Oaks of Canyon Country, a Southern California Edison spokesman said.

Earlier, wind caused a flatbed truck traveling eastbound on the Ronald Reagan Freeway to overturn west of Topanga Canyon Boulevard in Chatsworth.

The truck, which was carrying at least one sign, was traveling 40 mph when a sudden gust of wind pushed it over on its right side. The driver and two passengers were uninjured, said California Highway Patrol Officer Kurt Sommerfeld.

Wind advisories that had been issued on two other local freeways Thursday remained in effect Friday. Advisories were issued locally on the Golden State Freeway and the Antelope Valley Freeway, between Escondido Canyon Road and Avenue A, said Traffic Management Center spokesman Richard Perez. Sommerfeld warned motorists driving in areas with wind advisories to remain alert and keep both hands on the steering wheel.

``Anybody driving a high-profile vehicle needs to be more careful,'' Sommerfeld said.

While no significant damage was reported in Santa Clarita, city field services personnel picked up debris throughout the day and were expected to remain on call if the winds persisted.

National Weather Service forecaster Richard Stitt said winds were expected to reach as high as 75 mph in local foothill areas and die down today.

Los Angeles County Fire Inspector Henry Rodriguez said due to the red-flag warning Friday, fire stations 123 in Sand Canyon, 111 in Bouquet Canyon, 124 in Stevenson Ranch, 76 in Castaic Junction and 149 in Castaic, were staffed with at least one extra engine.

When a quarter-acre fire erupted on Pico Canyon Road about 10:25 a.m. Friday, firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire because of a helicopter water drop and light brush due to cattle grazing in the area, officials said.