Additional water tankers and firefighters have been deployed to the Los Angeles area in California, U.S., in preparation for the return of fierce winds that are expected to pose a threat to the progress made on two massive infernos that have claimed the lives of at least 24 individuals.
Planes have been spraying homes and hillsides with bright pink fire-retardant chemicals, while crews and fire engines are being strategically positioned near areas with dry brush that are particularly vulnerable. Numerous water trucks have been brought in to replenish supplies after hydrants ran dry last week during the outbreak of the two largest fires.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and other officials, who have faced criticism for their initial response to the fires that started last week, have expressed confidence that the region is well-prepared to tackle the new threat with the additional firefighters from across the U.S., as well as from Canada and Mexico.
“We’re absolutely better prepared,” stated LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone when asked about the differences from the previous week, when hurricane-force winds fueled multiple fires across the dry, brush-filled region that has not seen rain in over eight months.
Heavy winds predicted
The winds are expected to escalate late Monday into early Tuesday, although they are not anticipated to reach hurricane-force levels like last week. However, these winds could potentially ground firefighting aircraft, warned Mr. Marrone, stating that if winds reach 70 mph (112 kph), “it’s going to be very difficult to contain that fire.”
Fire officials have advised residents in high-risk areas to evacuate their homes at the first sign of danger without waiting for formal evacuation orders.
In less than a week, four fires around the nation’s second-largest city have burned over 62 square miles (160 square kilometers), which is roughly three times the size of Manhattan.
The National Weather Service has issued a warning that the weather will be “particularly dangerous” on Tuesday, with wind gusts potentially reaching 65 mph (105 kph). A significant portion of Southern California around Los Angeles is under an extreme fire danger warning through Wednesday, including densely populated areas such as Thousand Oaks, Northridge, and Simi Valley.
The Eaton Fire near Pasadena is currently about one-third contained, while the largest blaze in Pacific Palisades along the coast is much less contained.
Death toll expected to rise
The death toll is expected to increase, as stated by Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna on Monday. He mentioned that at least two dozen individuals are missing.
Mr. Luna emphasized the importance of patience from residents eager to return to their homes and neighborhoods to assess the damage, noting that “We have people literally looking for the remains of your neighbors.”
The calmer winds over the weekend allowed some residents to return to areas that had been evacuated earlier. Many were uncertain about the status of their homes and neighborhoods.
LA City Fire Chief Kristin Crowley urged people to avoid burned neighborhoods with broken gas lines and unstable buildings.
Just under 100,000 individuals in Los Angeles County remain under evacuation orders, which is half the number from the previous week.
Firefighters worked over the weekend to contain flames in Mandeville Canyon, which is home to celebrities like Arnold Schwarzenegger, after the Palisades Fire spread, leading to new evacuation orders. Crews continued battling the fire there on Monday before potentially strong winds could push the flames towards the iconic J. Paul Getty Museum and the University of California, Los Angeles.
Celebrities such as Beyoncé, Disney, and various entertainment organizations have pledged millions to assist those who have been displaced or lost their homes. Other stars, as well as ordinary individuals, have left generous donations of clothing and other items at street corners throughout the city.
Arrests made for looting
Several individuals have been arrested for looting in the aftermath of the wildfires. Officials are now witnessing instances of price gouging and scams, including with hotels, short-term rentals, and medical supplies, according to Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman.
The fires that began north of downtown LA on Tuesday have destroyed more than 12,000 homes, vehicles, and other structures.
Authorities have yet to determine an official cause for any of the fires. Southern California Edison is under investigation to determine if its equipment may have sparked a smaller blaze.
A lawsuit filed on Monday alleges that the utility’s equipment ignited the much larger Eaton Fire. Edison has not provided a response to this claim and previously stated that there was no indication its equipment caused that fire.
Early estimates from AccuWeather suggest that the fires could be the costliest in the nation’s history, exceeding $250 billion, including the ongoing damages. The reconstruction cost for commercial and residential properties in areas affected by the fires could reach $14.8 billion, according to real estate data tracker CoreLogic.
Published – January 14, 2025 08:34 am IST
