Firefighters are taking advantage of a lull in winds to make steady progress against the massive blaze that has gripped Los Angeles since January 7.
As of Saturday morning, the Palisades Fire, which has burned about 24,000 acres and killed at least 10 people, was reported to be 43% contained, according to the Cal Fire website. That’s up from 31% Friday morning.
The Eaton Fire, which has burned 14,000 acres and killed at least 17 people in Altadena, is reported to be 73% contained, up from 65% Friday morning.
Cool temperatures, high humidity and calm winds Monday morning gave firefighters a much-needed rest for the rest of the weekend, allowing them to extinguish existing fires without too much fear of new fires. said Joe Szilard, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. Weather Bureau in Oxnard.
“It’s actually very advantageous in fighting ongoing fires,” Szilard said. “With these winds and humidity, the chances of a fire outbreak will be minimal.”
As clearing operations continue, authorities are allowing a slow “repopulation” of certain areas of the Palisades.
For now, only residents are required to pass through checkpoints manned by the Los Angeles Police Department and National Guard, who must have an ID with their name, photo and address, similar to a driver’s license. It will be.
Security remained tight in the Palisades on Friday, with police and military personnel stationed at most major intersections and others on horseback or on dirt bikes patrolling to keep an eye out for looters. was.
President-elect Donald Trump, who is scheduled to take office on Monday, has announced that his first official trip as a national leader will be to Southern California to tour disaster-stricken areas.
President Trump has spent much of the past 10 days hurling abuse at California leaders, accusing them of mismanagement of the crisis caused when hurricane-force winds caused flames to tear through multiple parts of the Los Angeles metropolitan area. .
On January 8, President Trump posted on Truth Social: “One of the best and most beautiful parts of the United States of America is burning to the ground.” It’s all his fault!
According to an article published by The Hill, President Trump is expected to arrive late next week.
After this weekend’s mild weather, another round of fire weather could arrive on Monday and continue for much of next week, with the peak threat arriving on Tuesday, forecasters said.
Alex Tardy, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in San Diego, said there was little rain and “the bottom line is we’re in uncharted territory in the middle of winter, or the middle of the rainy season.”
In other disturbing fire news, the huge costs of the historic Los Angeles fires could force the state’s last insurance company, which has just $377 million in reserves, to bail out.
To remain solvent, California’s Fair Plan may seek financial assistance from member insurers and prompt them to impose additional charges on policyholders.
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