Less than two weeks after a deadly fire that killed at least 27 people and destroyed thousands of homes, Southern California residents are bracing for strong winds and an increased risk of wildfires.
The National Weather Service warned of “particularly hazardous conditions” in parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties from Monday afternoon into Tuesday morning due to low humidity and harmful Santa Ana winds. Wind gusts could reach 113 km/h along the coast and 160 km/h in mountains and foothills.
The windy weather and single-digit humidity are expected to continue into Thursday, National Weather Service meteorologist Rich Thompson said. He said the area has not had rain since April, which also increases the fire risk.
Severe fire weather with wind gusts up to 60 mph (97 km/h) is forecast for Monday and Tuesday in Southern California communities stretching as far as San Diego, prompting residents to prepare for evacuations, including building emergency kits and storing cars. I am encouraged. At least half a tank of gasoline is filled. A wind-borne dust and ash advisory was also issued as strong winds could blow ash from existing fire zones across Southern California.
The warning comes as firefighters continue to battle two large fires in the Los Angeles area, the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire, which have been on fire since breaking out amid high winds on January 7. More than 14,000 buildings were destroyed. The Palisades Fire was 52% contained as of January 2019. Fire officials say the Sunday and Eaton fires are 81% contained.
Firefighters are working to extinguish the area surrounding the Palisades Fire, which has blackened more than 37 square miles (96 square kilometers) near the Pacific Coast, but the fire continues to burn inside, fire department spokesman Dan Collins said. It is said that there are some areas where there are. Palisades fire incident.
“There could always be red flags warning that something hot or some type of burning material could be blown up from inside and blown over the containment line,” Collins said.
Eaton Fire spokesman Carlos Herrera said firefighters are confident the inland Eaton Fire remains under control, but the vegetation is especially dry this time of year and new fires could start. He said he was concerned about the gender.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has deployed fire trucks, water cannons and emergency personnel throughout the region to ensure a rapid response in the event of a new fire, according to California Governor Gavin Newsom’s Office of Emergency Services. .
“This proactive approach has proven to be a critical component of California’s wildfire response strategy, reducing response times and containing fires before they spread,” the agency said. .
Damage estimates for the Palisades and Eaton fires continue to be estimated nearly two weeks after they occurred. Although inspectors have been deployed to check buildings and assess damage, Collins said it is impossible to know whether the remaining buildings damaged by the Palisades fire are intact.
“Our damage inspection team must inspect all structures within the perimeter of the fire,” Collins said. “The work is about two-thirds complete.”
Fire officials said they were focused on getting people back into evacuation areas and residents were allowed to return to the foothills of the Pacific Palisades, known as the Highlands, on Sunday.
Two people were arrested after attempting to enter the Palisades fire evacuation area and are being investigated for impersonating firefighters, authorities said Saturday. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said the two men were wearing dispatch gear and claimed to be from the Oregon Fire Department, but that was not the case and the truck they were driving was purchased at auction. That’s what it means.
Almost two weeks after historic wildfires broke out in Southern California, let’s take a look back at moments captured in the first 24 hours of the devastation. Photographer Sean Browning reported on NBC4 News on January 19, 2025 at 11 p.m.
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