LOS ANGELES — Firefighters in the Los Angeles area received a momentary break on Tuesday as winds lessened, providing crucial relief in their battle against two significant wildfires. The National Weather Service had previously issued dire warnings about critical fire conditions but postponed them until the following morning.
Forecasters noted that wind speeds had dropped to a safer level by evening, yet expected them to increase again overnight, raising concerns about new fire risks. Red flag warnings remained in place from Central California to the Mexican border and were set to last until late Wednesday afternoon.
The winds did intensify on Tuesday, but they did not reach the predicted near-hurricane force. Even so, authorities cautioned that the danger was still present. “The key takeaway: We’re not out of the woods yet,” the National Weather Service in Los Angeles cautioned in a social media update. “The winds may have underperformed today, but there remains a chance for an increase tonight into tomorrow.”
While this round of Santa Ana winds was expected to be less intense than those experienced the prior week, they could still carry embers for miles, igniting new blazes in an area already grappling with devastating wildfires that have claimed at least 25 lives. Firefighters reported advancements on the Palisades Fire, the most extensive and persistent blaze, although efforts were still ongoing. CalFire Operations Section Chief Christian Litz observed no active flames from a helicopter, though he acknowledged that the situation remained precarious.
As a precautionary measure, utilities cut power to nearly 90,000 homes to prevent their lines from causing new fires. Residents were urged to remain on alert and be prepared for immediate evacuation. Many stayed vigilant, with local law enforcement reporting about 50 arrests related to crimes including looting, flying drones over fire zones, and violating curfews.
Three individuals were arrested on arson charges after being spotted starting small fires, which were swiftly extinguished. The police chief indicated that these incidents occurred outside established disaster areas. Among those charged with theft, a group was accused of stealing an Emmy award from an evacuated residence.
The looming threat of strong winds continued to raise concerns. Firefighting crews, bolstered by assistance from neighboring states, Canada, and Mexico, were dispatched to address flare-ups or new fires. The firefighting response has become significantly more robust compared to the previous week when raging fires destroyed thousands of homes, potentially marking one of the nation’s most costly fire disasters.
Kaylin Johnson, a resident of a surviving home in Altadena near Pasadena, planned to stay vigilant throughout the night to deter looters and protect her and her neighbors’ properties from embers. “Our lives are on hold indefinitely,” she communicated through a text, highlighting the challenges posed by restricted access to burn areas. “But I’d rather stay here than risk not being allowed back.”
Tuesday’s forecast included a rare and serious warning from the National Weather Service, indicating that the combination of powerful winds and extremely dry conditions could lead to a “Particularly Dangerous Situation,” where any new fire could rapidly increase in size. The forecast anticipated that wind gusts would intensify early Wednesday.
Many residents prepared for possible evacuations. Javier Vega mentioned how he and his girlfriend are ready to quickly gather their two cats, eight fish, and a leopard gecko if necessary. He described the unusual comfort of hearing helicopters overhead throughout the night, knowing they were aiding firefighters in protecting their community.
Firefighting efforts included planes dropping bright pink fire retardants on vulnerable areas, while teams with fire engines were stationed in places susceptible to new fire outbreaks. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed renewed confidence in the region’s preparedness after receiving criticism for the initial response, noting that a recent aerial survey revealed devastation akin to that of a “dry hurricane.”
Although winds were not predicted to reach the severe speeds of the previous week, LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone warned they could still hinder firefighting aircraft. He also urged unhoused individuals to refrain from starting fires for warmth and seek shelter instead.
With little rain falling in more than eight months, California has seen a rise in wildfires, particularly in the greater Los Angeles region with over a dozen fires reported this year. Quick action by firefighters has been crucial in combating smaller blazes, such as a fire near Oxnard that was rapidly extinguished on Monday night. Andrew Dowd, a spokesperson for the Ventura County Fire Department, stated, “We’ve got helicopters ready to tackle any new outbreaks.”
The four largest wildfires around Los Angeles have burned over 63 square miles, about three times larger than Manhattan. Of these, the Eaton Fire near Pasadena was approximately one-third contained, while the Pacific Palisades fire remained less contained.
Authorities expect the death toll to rise, as nearly 30 individuals remain unaccounted for, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna. While the number of residents under evacuation orders has decreased to just below 90,000, many are still on edge.
The crisis has also disrupted Hollywood’s awards season, forcing delays for Oscar nominations and leading some organizations to postpone their planned award ceremonies without rescheduling.
