Dangerous winds are expected to return, threatening ongoing firefighting efforts in Los Angeles
Firefighters had made some headway, but the return of these winds is a real concern. The fires have already destroyed thousands of homes and sadly claimed at least 24 lives. Some folks were able to return to their neighborhoods, but the situation remains dire. The death toll has risen, with 16 people still unaccounted for.
The National Weather Service is sounding the alarm, warning of a “particularly dangerous situation” starting Monday night. They’re predicting sustained winds of 40 mph and gusts up to 65 mph in the mountains. Tuesday is expected to be the worst day, according to fire behavior experts.
These fierce Santa Ana winds have been a major factor in turning the wildfires into massive infernos, especially since it hasn’t rained in over eight months. So far, four fires have burned more than 62 square miles, which is bigger than San Francisco. The Eaton Fire and the Palisades Fire are the biggest culprits, but there’s been some progress in containing them.
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone mentioned that they’ve brought in 70 extra water trucks to help combat the flames. They’re also using fire retardant from aircraft to create barriers on the hillsides.
Some residents are cautiously returning to check on their homes. Jim Orlandini, who lost his hardware store, was relieved to find his house still standing after fearing the worst. Sadly, the death toll includes 16 from the Eaton Fire and eight from the Palisades Fire, with many still missing.
Authorities are working hard to find the missing, using cadaver dogs in the search. They’ve set up a center for people to report missing loved ones and are creating an online database for residents to check on their homes.
With around 150,000 people still under evacuation orders, officials are urging everyone to stay away from the affected areas. There are still active fires, and the conditions are dangerous, with no power or water in many places.
Firefighters from California and other states are on the ground, with nearly 1,400 fire engines and over 14,000 personnel involved in the fight. They’ve been working tirelessly, especially in areas like Mandeville Canyon, where the fire threatened to spread into populated regions.
Looting has also become a problem, with authorities making arrests, including two people pretending to be firefighters. Governor Gavin Newsom has made it clear that California will not tolerate looting during this crisis.
The fires have caused unprecedented damage, with estimates suggesting they could be the costliest in U.S. history, potentially reaching $150 billion. Inmate firefighters are also on the front lines, helping to clear brush and timber, although their compensation for such dangerous work is quite low.
To help with rebuilding efforts, Newsom has issued an executive order to fast-track the process and ensure property tax assessments don’t increase. More than 24,000 people have already registered for federal assistance.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is facing scrutiny over her leadership during this crisis, with questions about why some resources were unavailable when they were needed most. The community is rallying together, but the road to recovery will be long and challenging.
