Wind advisory issued for the Las Vegas area

A wind advisory has been issued for Southern Nevada, with gusts of up to 50 mph forecast, according to the National Weather Service.

The blustery weather was wreaking havoc around Las Vegas, with firefighters and NV Energy crews responding to reports of downed power lines. At one point this morning, more than 4,700 customers were without service, according to the power company.

Las Vegas Fire & Rescue officials reported a power pole arcing on El Castano Avenue and a tree down on a power box in the area of Valley View Boulevard and Sirius Avenue, just west of the Strip.

In Boulder City, officials reported a power outage and trees knocked down at Veterans' Memorial Park.

The wind is the result of a cold front pushing through that will drop the high temperature today into the low 80s. The advisory is in effect until 11 p.m.

Winds near McCarran International Airport reached as high as 45 mph this morning.

A red flag fire warning has also been issued for the area, the weather service said. The wind can cause extreme fire behavior and rapid spreading, officials said.

Clark County, meanwhile, issued an air quality advisory because of blowing dust and smoke from wildfires in California.

In Southern California, crews battled several fires that roared to life in searing temperatures, including one that closed mountain roads in Angeles National Forest and forced the evacuation of the historic Mount Wilson Observatory.

In one case, a couple’s plan to reveal their baby’s gender went up not in blue or pink smoke but in flames when the device they used sparked a wildfire that burned thousands of acres and forced people to flee from a city east of Los Angeles.

The fire prompted evacuations in parts of Yucaipa, a city of 54,000, and the surrounding area. The fire started Saturday morning at El Ranch Dorado Park and had grown to 11.5 square miles by Monday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.