Firefighters are on high alert as strong winds could worsen fire conditions in Los Angeles, following devastating recent blazes.
Residents are understandably anxious. Tabitha Trosen, for instance, is packing up her important belongings, feeling like she’s on the edge. She’s got her cats ready to go, with their carriers prepped by the door. It’s a tough situation, and she’s just trying to hold onto what matters most.
On Monday, planes were busy dropping fire-retardant chemicals on vulnerable areas. Fire crews are strategically placed near dry brush, and extra water trucks are on standby after last week’s hydrants ran dry during the fires.
LA Mayor Karen Bass and other officials are feeling more confident this time around. They’ve brought in more firefighters from across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone reassured everyone that they’re better prepared than before, especially after last week’s hurricane-force winds caused so much destruction.
Since the start of the year, over a dozen wildfires have erupted in Southern California, mainly around Los Angeles. The latest fire started in Oxnard, about 55 miles away, but firefighters managed to contain it before it spread too far.
Winds are already gusting in the mountains, and they’re expected to continue through Wednesday. While they’re not predicted to reach hurricane levels, they could still ground firefighting aircraft. If winds hit 70 mph, it’ll be tough to control any fires.
The National Weather Service has warned that Tuesday will be particularly dangerous, with gusts possibly reaching 65 mph. Many areas around LA are under extreme fire danger warnings, including densely populated neighborhoods.
Fire officials are advising residents in high-risk areas to evacuate early if they feel threatened. Tim Kang from La Crescenta did just that last week, feeling sick from the smoke and fearing the fires would spread. He’s currently staying with his girlfriend in Pasadena.
In less than a week, four fires have scorched over 62 square miles around LA, which is about three times the size of Manhattan. The Eaton Fire near Pasadena is about one-third contained, while the larger Pacific Palisades fire is still a concern.
The search for victims continues, and the death toll may rise as at least two dozen people are still missing. Sheriff Robert Luna has asked for patience as they look for those unaccounted for.
LA city Fire Chief Kristin Crowley has urged people to stay away from burned areas, which are dangerous due to broken gas lines and unstable structures. Just under 100,000 people in LA County are still under evacuation orders, though that’s half the number from last week.
Celebrities like Beyoncé and Disney are stepping up to help those affected, pledging millions for relief efforts. Many have also donated clothing and supplies to those in need.
Unfortunately, looting has become an issue, with dozens arrested. Officials are also seeing price gouging and scams related to hotels and medical supplies.
The fires that started last week have destroyed over 12,000 homes and structures. While the cause of the fires is still under investigation, Southern California Edison is being looked at for possibly sparking a smaller blaze.
A lawsuit has been filed claiming the utility’s equipment caused the larger Eaton Fire. Early estimates suggest these fires could be the most expensive in U.S. history, potentially costing over $250 billion, with reconstruction costs alone reaching nearly $15 billion.
