LOS ANGELES — On Tuesday, Southern California experienced increased wind activity, leading to the emergence of a couple of new wildfires, while firefighters remained vigilant amid severe fire conditions. This comes two weeks after significant wildfires ignited in the Los Angeles region and are still ongoing.
Gusty winds were expected, reaching as high as 70 mph (113 kph) along coastal areas and up to 100 mph (160 kph) in mountainous and foothill regions. The extreme fire weather conditions were anticipated to persist until Tuesday morning. Reports from the National Weather Service indicated wind speeds overnight fluctuated from 35 mph (56 kph) along the coast to 63 mph (101 kph) in the mountains.
A warning was issued by the weather service describing a “particularly dangerous situation” for several counties, including Los Angeles, Ventura, and San Diego, starting Monday afternoon through Tuesday morning. Low humidity levels combined with damaging Santa Ana winds created an environment conducive to rapid fire spread. Meteorologist Andrew Rorke from the Oxnard weather service remarked, “The conditions are ripe for explosive fire growth should a fire start.”
In San Diego County, at least two minor fires broke out, prompting evacuation orders for the Lilac Fire, which consumed around 50 acres (20 hectares) and was spreading at a moderate rate, threatening nearby structures, as reported by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Meanwhile, firefighters managed to halt progress on the Pala Fire.
On Monday, Los Angeles fire crews swiftly extinguished a small brush fire that ignited south of the famed Griffith Observatory. A suspect was apprehended in connection to the fire, according to a spokesperson from the Los Angeles Police Department. Additionally, another brush fire near Interstate 405 in Granada Hills was quickly contained, causing brief disruption to northbound traffic.
Firefighters were also engaged in battling a fire that ignited Monday afternoon in Poway, San Diego County, managing to stop its advance.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris, along with her spouse Doug Emhoff, visited Los Angeles following President Donald Trump’s inauguration. They met with firefighters, volunteers, and residents affected by the Eaton Fire in Altadena. Harris expressed gratitude to the responders and reassured that their residence in Pacific Palisades remained intact.
In criticism of wildfire management during his inaugural address, Trump has announced plans to visit Los Angeles on Friday. Governor Gavin Newsom emphasized the destruction caused by the wildfires highlights the necessity for collaboration between state and federal entities, expressing hope for federal assistance to aid in recovery efforts.
According to meteorologist Rorke, some rainfall is predicted for the upcoming weekend in the Los Angeles area; however, gusty winds are anticipated to return on Thursday. Authorities have advised residents against mowing lawns or igniting any fires that could escalate uncontrollably. Residents are also urged to revisit their emergency evacuation plans and have emergency kits prepared, while remaining vigilant for any new wildfires.
David Acuna, a spokesperson for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, voiced concerns regarding the potential for the Palisades and Eaton fires to breach their containment boundaries, as well as the risk of new fires igniting. He stated, “Don’t do things to start another fire so we can focus on the mitigation of the current fires.”
The combination of low humidity, dry vegetation, and intense Santa Ana winds posed significant challenges as firefighters continued to combat the ongoing Palisades and Eaton fires, which began on January 7 and have resulted in at least 27 fatalities and destroyed over 14,000 structures. As of early Tuesday, the Palisades fire was reported to be 61% contained, while the Eaton fire was approximately 87% contained, according to fire officials.
Monday saw additional evacuation orders lifted in Pacific Palisades, with only residents allowed back home after verifying their residency at checkpoints. Over the past weekend, two individuals impersonating firefighters attempted to infiltrate an evacuation zone for the Palisades Fire, as reported by the Los Angeles County sheriff’s office.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass assured that the city is equipped to handle any potential new wildfires and cautioned that strong winds could spread ash from existing fire areas throughout Southern California. She encouraged residents to utilize resources at lacity.gov to stay informed about protective measures against toxic air during the Santa Ana winds.
Cal Fire, alongside local fire departments, has strategically positioned engines, air support for water drops, and firefighting crews across the region to ensure prompt responses to any new fire incidents. Acuna mentioned that Cal Fire had stationed additional firefighting teams in Kern and Riverside counties. Los Angeles fire officials reported that all available fire engines were ready, with 30 allocated in areas at high risk, and approximately 1,000 firefighters from the previous shift maintaining readiness to support additional engines. “The pre-deployment is very, very thoughtful and strategic,” Crowley remarked.
