Weather officials in the US have warned of the risk of “explosive fire growth” as winds are due to ramp up in California on Tuesday.
One week on from the devastating fire that has raged through Los Angeles – wiping out entire neighbourhoods and killing at least 24 people – there are now fears that the terror could continue to escalate over the next few days, reports the Mirror.
Gusty Santa Ana winds, which have been largeley blamed for last week’s inferno’s, are expected to intensity this week, according to the National Weather Service (NSW). The alert has prompted a rare Red Flad Warning over the “particularly dangerous situation” – often reserved for “extreme of the extreme fire weather scenarios.”
Winds blowing in from the east or north-east are expected to peak today, with gusts up to 70mph (112km/h) possible. The highest winds are expected to be north and east of LA, including parts of Ventura and Los Angeles Counties. However,they are not expected to reach the Palisades and Eaton fires, which are more than 40 miles (64 km) away.
Forecasters have said areas threatened by those two fires are facing winds of 30mph (48km/h) with gusts up to 50 (56km/h), which one local fire chief described as “normal”. But after the NSW warned that “extreme fire danger” would continue until Wednesday, there are worries that strong gusts could reverse progress in combating the blazes.
An air tanker drops retardant while working to contain the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California
(Image: AP)
Red Flag Warnings cover a large part of Southern California around LA, including heavily populated Thousand Oaks, Northridge and Simi Valley. These warnings mean that “warm temperatures coupled with very low humidity and strong winds are expected to combine, bringing a greater risk of fire danger.”
The NSW warned that winds could create “explosive fire growth” as it added on X, formerly called Twitter : “PDS Red Flag Warnings are for the extreme of the extreme fire weather scenarios. In other words, this setup is about as bad as it gets.” It also added people should “be prepared to evacuate” and to “avoid anything that can spark a fire.”
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You’ll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you’re on mobile, select ‘Join Community’ and you’re in!
If you’re on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click ‘Join Community’.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘exit group’.
If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone was asked what will be different from a week ago, when hurricane-force winds propelled multiple fires across the region that hasn’t seen rain in more than eight months, LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said: “We’re absolutely better prepared.” On Tuesday and Wednesday, winds are not thought to reach hurricane-force like last week, but they could ground firefighting aircraft, Mr Marrone said, warning if winds reach 70 mph, “it’s going to be very difficult to contain that fire.”
Pasadena fire chief Chad Augustin warned of “potential disastrous wind conditions” as he told the BBC : “Unfortunately, we’re going right back into red flag conditions with some potential disastrous wind conditions between now and Wednesday, with the peak winds expected to be on Tuesday. While we’re making some progress, the end is not even close yet.”
Fire officials advised residents living in high-risk areas to leave their homes – and not wait for formal evacuation orders – if they sense danger. Last week, winds in excess of 100mph (160km/h) were recorded, with low pressure on the border between the US and Mexico boosting the strength of the Santa Ana wind. That area of low pressure has now moved away and over the next few days, the winds are not expected to be as fierce as last week.
Firefighters continue their work in the burning residential areas as wildfires continue to wreak havoc
(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
After Wednesday, lighter winds are forecast to develop, giving firefighters more time to contain the remaining fires. While rain would also ease the situation by returning some moisture to the ground and vegetation, currently the weather forecast shows little rainfall on the horizon.
The fires have wrecked more than 12,000 homes, cars and other structures since last week. AccuWeather’s early estimates suggest the blazes could be the nation’s costliest ever, topping $250billion (£204billion) including what’s to come in the next days. The reconstruction cost for commercial and residential properties inside areas with active fires could be $14.8billion (£12billion), according to real estate data tracker CoreLogic.
On Sunday, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna spoke in a news conference, revealing that he had requested more National Guard troops to bolster the 400 already in the area. Following that, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that 1,000 additional members of the National Guard would be deployed.
It comes at least 29 people were arrested for looting in mandatory evacuation areas. Two individuals were caught posing as firefighters to get into the homes of evacuees and steal from there. Sheriff Luna said: “When I was out there in the Malibu area, I saw a gentleman that looked like a firefighter. And I asked him if he was okay because he was sitting down. I didn’t realise we had him in handcuffs.
An aerial view of homes destroyed in the Palisades Fire as wildfires cause damage and loss through the LA region
(Image: Getty Images)
“We are turning him over to LAPD because he was dressed like a fireman, and he was not. He just got caught burglarising a home. So those are issues that our front-line deputies and police officers are dealing with.”
Currently, there are 14,000 firefighters, 84 aircrafts and 1,354 fire engines in southern California, said Sheriff Luna. He added that the death toll is likely to rise as at least two dozen people were missing as of Monday. The sheriff said he understands that people are eager to return to their homes and neighbourhoods to survey the damage, but he asked for their patience. “We have people literally looking for the remains of your neighbours,” he said.
Just under 100,000 in Los Angeles County remained under evacuation orders, half the number from last week. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power warned that it may shut off power for customers in areas with high fire risk as a pre-emptive safety measure to stop more fires from starting. It said the outages may last over 48 hours. Authorities haven’t determined an official cause for any of the fires.
Don’t miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond – Sign up to our daily newsletter here.