The Palisades Fire in Los Angeles may have reignited from a previous blaze linked to New Year’s Eve fireworks, causing widespread destruction.
An analysis showed that the new fire started in the same area where the earlier one had been extinguished. Unfortunately, firefighters were slower to respond this time, and it quickly turned into one of California’s most destructive fires. Residents were frustrated, noting that the response time was much slower compared to the New Year’s Eve fire.
One local, Michael Valentine, experienced both fires and said the difference in response was shocking. The first time, help arrived quickly, but this time, he had to wait on hold to report the fire. The Los Angeles Fire Department was busy with other emergencies, and a helicopter couldn’t get to the scene due to high winds.
Valentine felt let down by the lack of immediate help. He didn’t see any firefighters for a long time, and when a helicopter finally showed up, it didn’t have any water. He even tried to help protect homes in his neighborhood but ended up injuring himself in the process.
In the days leading up to the fire, Los Angeles was under warnings for strong winds and drought conditions, which made it easier for fires to reignite. Experts noted that it’s possible for smoldering remnants from the previous fire to flare up again.
Satellite images showed that the smoke from the new fire overlapped with the burn area from the New Year’s Eve blaze. The earlier fire had spread slowly, but it still took hours to contain.
Some residents expressed anger, saying the New Year’s Eve fireworks were reckless and that they knew better given the dry conditions. While it’s still unclear if the earlier fire directly caused the Palisades Fire, investigators are looking into it.
