LOS ANGELES — Southern California is bracing for a second consecutive day of intense winds, prompting firefighters to remain on high alert due to heightened fire risk. This comes just two weeks after two significant wildfires continue to burn in the Los Angeles area.
Forecasts predict wind gusts could reach up to 70 mph along the coast and 100 mph in the mountainous regions. These extreme fire conditions are expected to persist into Tuesday morning, according to the National Weather Service, which has issued a warning for areas in Los Angeles, Ventura, and San Diego counties due to low humidity levels and dangerous Santa Ana winds.
“The atmosphere is primed for rapid fire spread if any ignitions occur,” warned meteorologist Andrew Rorke from the Oxnard office of the National Weather Service.
Recently, Los Angeles fire crews swiftly contained a small brush fire that erupted south of the renowned Griffith Observatory. A suspect linked to the fire’s ignition was apprehended, as stated by LAPD spokesperson David Cuellar. Another brush fire along Interstate 405 in Granada Hills was also quickly doused, although it did temporarily obstruct northbound traffic.
In San Diego County, firefighters actively battled a fire that broke out Monday afternoon in Poway, managing to halt its expansion effectively.
Following President Donald Trump’s inauguration, Former Vice President Kamala Harris and her spouse Doug Emhoff traveled to Los Angeles. They met with firefighters, volunteers, and victims affected by the Eaton Fire in Altadena. “We just came out to express our gratitude to the firefighters, thank the community, and remind everyone that unity is key in these challenging times,” Harris said, noting that their home in Pacific Palisades had not been damaged.
Trump has indicated plans to visit Los Angeles on Friday, having previously criticized the wildfire response during his inaugural address. Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom emphasized the need for effective collaboration between state and federal levels to address the ongoing crisis.
“I am eager for President Trump’s upcoming visit and his commitment to mobilizing federal assistance for our affected communities,” Newsom stated.
The forecast suggests minimal rainfall for the upcoming weekend in the Los Angeles region, with additional gusty winds anticipated to return by Thursday, according to Rorke. Authorities have advised residents to refrain from mowing lawns or engaging in activities that could inadvertently ignite fires. Community members were reminded to review evacuation plans and prepare emergency kits while remaining vigilant for any newly ignited blazes.
David Acuna, spokesperson for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, voiced particular concern regarding the Palisades and Eaton fires breaching their containment boundaries, as well as the potential for new wildfires to emerge. “Our focus is on mitigating the current fires; let’s avoid actions that might ignite further blazes,” Acuna cautioned.
With ongoing low humidity, parched vegetation, and significant Santa Ana winds, firefighters are still combating two major wildfires—the Palisades and Eaton fires— which have devastated over 14,000 structures since their ignition on January 7th. As of Monday, the Palisades fire was reported at 59% containment, while the Eaton fire stood at 87% containment.
Evacuation orders for Pacific Palisades were partially lifted on Monday, with only residents permitted to return after verifying their residency at established checkpoints. The Los Angeles County sheriff’s department reported incidents over the weekend of two individuals impersonating firefighters attempting to access restricted evacuation zones.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass indicated that the city was prepared for any potential new fires, cautioning that strong winds might spread ash from existing fire areas throughout Southern California. She advised residents to check lacity.gov for resources on protecting themselves from harmful air quality during increased Santa Ana winds.
To facilitate rapid responses to new fire outbreaks, Cal Fire and local departments have strategically deployed fire engines, water-dropping aircraft, and ground crews across the region. Additional resources are stationed in Kern and Riverside counties, indicated Acuna. Los Angeles fire officials confirmed the readiness of all available fire engines, with 30 strategically placed in high-risk areas. The department has also kept around 1,000 firefighters on duty to manage these additional resources optimally. “This pre-deployment strategy is both deliberate and strategic,” Crowley remarked.
