LOS ANGELES — Firefighters are struggling to contain flames that have devoured large swaths of the city, killed two dozen people and destroyed thousands of structures over the past week, but they warned Monday that high winds from Santa Ana that fueled the flames are intensifying. and could fuel a destructive sequel.
“We’re not clear yet,” Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said at a news conference. “We cannot let our guard down.”
The National Weather Service released red flag warnings from the Ventura County coast across the vast Los Angeles metropolitan area, as wind gusts of up to 70 mph are forecast starting Tuesday morning and persisting through Wednesday.
“Red flag warnings are for extreme fire weather scenarios. In other words, this setup is about as bad as it gets,” said the NWS said the.
When asked if they were better prepared than they were when the fires first broke out a week ago, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Moroni responded: “We are absolutely better prepared.
Gusty winds in Santa Ana last week reaches hurricane force at times before calming down somewhat over the weekend, giving local firefighters backed by out-of-state reinforcements and even Mexico a chance to push back flames that feed on dry conditions.
As of Monday morning, the Palisades Fire had burned nearly 24,000 acres and was 14% contained, and the Eaton Fire had burned more than 14,000 acres and was 33% contained, California Gov. Gavin said Newson on X.
Although evacuation orders are still in effect for 92,000 Los Angeles residents and another 89,000 are in evacuation warning zones, those numbers are significantly lower than last week, the office said. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna.
But Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass urged residents to remain vigilant and be prepared to leave their homes and neighborhoods at a moment’s notice as the Santa Ana winds pick up.
“As the winds pick up, please heed calls to evacuate,” she said.
Firefighters have made progress in the Palisades fire: although it remains at 14%, they have managed to slow its spread.
“We have also made significant progress in Topanga Oaks, Sylvia Park, Temescal Ridge all the way to Mulholland – all of these areas have been threatened and we continue to hold on,” said Lindsay P. Horvath, supervisor of the county’s 3rd District from Los Angeles.
Much of the city is still blanketed in smoky air, and Horvath advised residents to wear N95 masks when venturing outside, close windows and doors and use air filters. air in their homes.
“Children and the elderly, especially those with serious health complications, are at particular risk,” Horvath said.
The worst fires in Los Angeles history broke out last week, triggering a massive disaster and sometimes chaotic exodus as residents fled the Pacific Palisades and Altadena neighborhoods that were largely reduced to ashes in a few hours.
