Weather service issues its most severe fire warning for parts of L.A. area as winds pick up

Firefighting efforts in Los Angeles County are ongoing as wildfires, which have been raging for nearly a week, continue to wreak havoc. The blazes have claimed at least 25 lives and destroyed thousands of structures. Authorities are bracing for another round of dangerous winds, which are expected to increase fire risks in the coming days.

In the past 24 hours, both the Eaton and Palisades fires saw progress, with containment increasing and no significant expansion of the flames. However, officials remain on high alert as “red flag” conditions are forecasted to begin Tuesday morning and last through Wednesday noon, intensifying fire hazards.

“We are not yet out of danger and must stay vigilant,” said Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley during a press briefing on Monday.

The National Weather Service has issued a “particularly dangerous situation” warning for parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties. The warning highlights the likelihood of wind gusts ranging from 45 to 70 mph, coupled with dry conditions that will foster rapid fire growth and unpredictable behavior.

“This remains an extreme fire weather and wind scenario,” said Rose Schoenfeld, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. “This is a serious, ongoing threat.”

Meanwhile, firefighters continued working throughout the weekend to strengthen containment lines around the Palisades and Eaton fires. As of Monday morning, the Palisades fire had scorched more than 23,700 acres and was 14% contained, while the Eaton fire, which has burned over 14,100 acres, was 33% contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

In an effort to bolster firefighting resources, Mexican firefighters arrived in Los Angeles on Saturday, joining the thousands of others already battling the flames. Governor Gavin Newsom announced the deployment of 1,000 additional California National Guard members to the area, bringing the total number of Guard personnel to approximately 2,500 by Monday.

The federal government has also stepped in, with President Biden confirming the deployment of hundreds of federal personnel and aerial support to assist with firefighting efforts.

As of now, nearly 92,000 people are under mandatory evacuation orders, with an additional 89,000 facing evacuation warnings in affected areas.

Fire Chief Crowley emphasized the thorough preparations made by local authorities ahead of the anticipated extreme weather, including the strategic placement of firefighting teams, clearing dry brush near vulnerable structures, and positioning equipment in areas at risk of new fires.

“We’ve pre-positioned resources to be ready for any new fires that may spark,” Crowley stated. “We’re also bracing for a worst-case scenario where high winds may prevent us from using aircraft to drop retardant.”

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also voiced concerns, describing the situation as “urgent,” with high winds potentially reaching hurricane-force levels.

The toll from the wildfires has been grim, with 25 confirmed fatalities so far — eight in the Palisades fire and 17 in the Eaton fire in Altadena. The number of missing persons stands at 29, all adults. As search and recovery operations continue, authorities are using cadaver dogs and grid searches to locate victims. Sheriff Robert Luna described the recovery efforts as heartbreaking, noting that every day more remains of community members are found.

These fires are among the deadliest in California’s recent history. The state’s worst wildfire disaster, the 2018 Camp fire in Butte County, claimed 85 lives. The Griffith Park fire in 1933, the Oakland-Berkeley hills fire in 1991, and the 2017 Tubbs fire are other major deadly fires that have impacted California.

Though damage assessments are still ongoing, it’s clear that these fires are among the most destructive in the state’s history. The Eaton fire alone has destroyed 1,902 structures, and approximately 7,000 structures are estimated to have been impacted across both fires. The Palisades fire has reportedly destroyed over 5,300 structures, which could make it the third most destructive fire in modern California history, following closely behind the Eaton fire.

Authorities are also taking steps to prevent criminal activity in evacuation zones. Law enforcement has arrested 34 individuals, including one person who was allegedly disguised as a firefighter while attempting a burglary. Of those arrested, 30 were apprehended in the Eaton fire zone and four in the Palisades zone.

The firefighting community remains focused on preventing further devastation as they prepare for the challenges posed by extreme weather conditions and continue to battle one of the state’s most destructive wildfire events.

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