Millions in Southern California were anxiously observing the situation on Wednesday morning as wind gusts began to intensify, heralding a potentially perilous wildfire weather pattern for a region ravaged by two significant fires that have resulted in at least 25 fatalities and widespread destruction of homes.
Following a day of lighter winds that provided firefighters with a brief respite, winds were recorded at speeds of up to 35 mph along the coast and in the valleys, and up to 55 mph in mountainous areas before dawn, according to meteorologist Todd Hall of the National Weather Service. The forecast indicated that these winds would continue to strengthen throughout the morning.
“This is essentially the final surge of these winds today,” Hall stated, expressing hope that if the community could endure this day, improvement in conditions would follow for the later part of the week, specifically on Friday and Saturday.
On Tuesday, the calmer winds allowed firefighting efforts to make progress against the utmost deadly and destructive fires, which have persisted for more than a week. Nearly half of the Eaton Fire, situated just north of Los Angeles, had been contained at that point, while one-fifth of the fire that severely impacted the Pacific Palisades neighborhood was now encircled.
Both fires commenced on January 7, in conditions similar to those anticipated on Wednesday. The high winds experienced last week propelled the flames at alarming speed and helped carry embers across vast distances.
The weather agency announced red-flag warnings, signaling warm temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds, to be in effect from 3 a.m. to 3 p.m. This warning spanned from the Central Coast, located 275 miles south to the Mexico border. A particularly hazardous situation was declared for parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
Residents, fatigued yet alert, were urged to prepare for sudden evacuation. Many remained watchful over their area, with local police reporting around 50 arrests for various crimes including looting, flying drones over fire zones, and violating curfews.
Three individuals were apprehended under suspicions of arson after being observed attempting to ignite small fires, with methods such as using a barbecue lighter. These incidents occurred well outside the designated disaster zones. Thus far, authorities have yet to determine the cause behind any of the major fires.
Among those arrested for looting was a group implicated in stealing an Emmy award from an evacuated residence, as reported by the Los Angeles County District Attorney.
As the threat from powerful winds loomed, firefighting efforts received support from teams from other states, as well as from Canada and Mexico, with a larger contingent dispatched to address flare-ups or emerging fires. This firefighting force was significantly increased compared to the initial response a week prior, when the fires began devastating thousands of homes, potentially marking one of the most costly fire disasters in the nation’s history.
Kaylin Johnson and her family had opted to remain at their home, one of the few intact structures in the Altadena neighborhood near Pasadena. They intended to guard against looting while also dousing their property and that of their neighbors to mitigate the chances of flare-ups. “Our lives have been put on hold indefinitely,” Johnson communicated via text, indicating that movement was restricted due to access regulations in burn areas. “But I would prefer being here rather than being unable to return.”
Residents expressed determinations to evacuate swiftly if necessary. Javier Vega stated that he felt as though he had been “sleeping with one eye open” alongside his girlfriend, as they made plans to quickly gather their two cats, eight fish, and leopard gecko if evacuation orders were issued.
On most nights, the sound of helicopters flying overhead from midnight until 4 a.m. would be disturbing; however, Vega found the presence of the aircraft reassuring, attributing the noise to their efforts in combating the flames encroaching on their neighborhood. “It was actually soothing for me to go to sleep,” he explained.
In recent days, the two largest fires had not spread significantly. Aircraft were employing bright pink fire-retardant chemicals on homes and surrounding hills, while crews positioned fire engines at particularly vulnerable locations with dry brush, preparing for potential new outbreaks.
Thomas Martin, an aid worker with Calvary Disaster Relief, characterized the situation as unlike any he had encountered before, having typically aided individuals post-hurricane or flood. “This is different,” Martin remarked, adding, “This is total devastation. There’s not much we can do except pray for the folks affected.”
The frequency of wildfires has surged throughout Los Angeles, with the area experiencing over a dozen fires this year, primarily in the greater Los Angeles vicinity, and almost no rain in the preceding eight months. Firefighters have been quick to act on smaller blazes, effectively extinguishing several, including a fire encountered one evening within the Angeles National Forest.
The four largest fires in the vicinity of the country’s second-largest city have engulfed over 63 square miles, approximately three times the area of Manhattan.
Authorities anticipate that the death toll may rise, as stated by Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna, with nearly 30 individuals still reported missing. Some of the persons previously labeled as missing have since been located.
The Hollywood awards season has come to a standstill due to the ongoing crisis, with Oscar nominations being delayed multiple times, while various organizations have postponed award ceremonies and notifications without rescheduling specifics.
