Los Angeles Less than two weeks after horrific fires that destroyed thousands of homes and killed at least 27 people broke out, Southern Californians are preparing for strong winds and an increased chance of wildfires.
Due to low humidity and destructive Santa Anawinds, the National Weather Service has warned of a potentially dangerous situation for portions of Ventura and Los Angeles counties from Monday afternoon through Tuesday early. Along the coast, gusts might reach 70 mph (113 kph), while in the foothills and mountains, they could reach 100 mph (161 kph).
National Weather Service meteorologist Rich Thompson predicted that windy conditions and single-digit humidity will persist into Thursday. According to him, the lack of rain in the area since April has further increased the risk of fire.
Other Southern California communities, extending to San Diego, were also expected to experience critical fire weather on Monday and Tuesday, with wind gusts of up to 60 mph (97 kph). Residents were advised to prepare for evacuation by assembling an emergency kit and keeping their cars with at least half a tank of gas.
FILE: Thursday, January 16, 2025, aerial picture of the Palisades Fire’s destruction in Malibu, California. (Jae C. Hong, File/AP Photo)AP
The advisories are issued as firefighters continue to combat the Palisades and Eaton fires, two significant flames in the Los Angeles area that started on January 7 due to strong winds and have damaged over 14,000 buildings. Fire officials reported that the Eaton fire was 81% contained and the Palisades fire was 52% contained on Sunday.
Dan Collins, a spokesperson for the Palisades fire incident, stated that although firefighters have made progress on the perimeter of the fire, which has burned over 37 square miles (96 square kilometers) close to the Pacific coast, there are still areas in the interior that are burning.
According to Collins, there is always a chance that something hot or a burning substance from the interior could be whipped up and blasted past the containment lines when a red flag warning is issued.
According to Eaton fire spokesperson Carlos Herrera, firefighters are reasonably certain that the Eaton fire farther inland will stay contained, but they are worried that a new fire might start because of the vegetation, which is particularly dry for this time of year.
FILE: On January 8, 2025, a firefighter fights the Palisades Fire beside a burned-out building in the Pacific Palisades district of Los Angeles. (File: Etienne Laurent/AP Photo)AP
According to the governor’s office of emergency services, California Governor Gavin Newsom has placed 45 fire engines throughout the area in addition to hand crews and water-dropping planes to facilitate a prompt response in the event that a new fire breaks out.
According to the agency, this proactive approach has been shown to be an essential part of California’s wildfire response strategy, cutting down on reaction times and suppressing fires before they get out of control.
Nearly two weeks after the Palisades and Eaton fires started, damage estimates have still rising. Collins stated that although inspectors have spread out to inspect buildings and evaluate damage, it is impossible to determine whether the other structures damaged in the Palisades fire are still standing.
Every building inside the fire zone must be inspected by our damage inspection teams, Collins stated. About two-thirds of them are finished.
Residents of the highlands, a hillside neighborhood of the Pacific Palisades, were permitted to return on Sunday as fire officials indicated they were concentrating on repopulating evacuated neighborhoods.
FILE: On January 7, 2025, in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, a neighborhood is devastated by the Palisades Fire due to strong winds. (Ethan Swope/AP Photo, File)AP
Two individuals were detained Saturday while trying to enter a Palisades fire evacuation zone, according to authorities, and are being looked into for posing as firemen. The Los Angeles County sheriff’s department stated in a statement that the two, who were dressed in turnout gear, claimed to be from an Oregon fire department, but they weren’t, and the truck they were driving had been purchased at auction.
More in Nation-World News