Southern California braces for wildfires due to Santa Ana windsNewslooksWashington DCMary SidiqiEvening EditionDangerous winds are returning to Southern California, fueling wildfires and threatening containment efforts for the Palisades and Eaton fires. As authorities prepared for possible toxic ash runoff due to forecast rains, firefighters quickly battled new fires. Gov. Gavin Newsom called for federal help, while former Vice President Kamala Harris visited affected communities.
Dangerous winds and wildfires in Southern California: Quick overview
- Strong winds: Santa Ana winds reaching 100 mph threaten fire containment efforts.
- Current forest fires: The Palisades and Eaton fires have destroyed 14,000 structures since January 7.
- New Blazes: Crews have put out several fires, including the Friars Fire near San Diego.
- Health Warnings: Toxic ash and potential landslides add to concerns about expected rains.
- Response from the federal government: Governor Newsom and President Trump are coordinating recovery efforts.
In-depth look: Southern California grapples with high winds and devastating wildfires
Southern California continues to face increasingly complex challenges as powerful Santa Ana winds fuel wildfires across the region, threatening containment efforts and endangering already burned landscapes. Large fires like those in Palisades and Eaton have entered their third week, while smaller blazes erupt. Authorities are bracing for a new threat: toxic ash runoff and debris flows caused by forecast rains this weekend.
This combination of intense winds, dry vegetation and wildfire risks paints a grim picture for the region, where recovery remains an uphill battle.
The Santa Ana Winds: A Catalyst of Destruction
The National Weather Service warned of “particularly dangerous” weather conditions due to Santa Ana winds. Gusts reached up to 70 km/h along the coast and 100 km/h in mountainous areas, creating conditions conducive to the rapid ignition and spread of wildfires. Combined with low humidity and parched vegetation, these winds make it nearly impossible for firefighters to completely secure containment lines.
The weather service expects the gusts to gradually ease over the course of the week, but windy conditions are expected to persist through Thursday. For firefighters, each hour that passes in these conditions is a race against time to avoid further destruction.
“Our concern is the next fire, the next spark that will cause the next wildfire,” Cal Fire spokesman David Acuna said, noting the precarious situation as crews battle both the current fires and against the omnipresent fires. threatens new ignitions.
Major fires: Palisades and Eaton fires continue to rage
The Palisades and Eaton fires remain the region’s largest and deadliest wildfires since they broke out on January 7. Together, they left at least 27 people dead, destroyed more than 14,000 structures and ravaged thousands of hectares of land.
The Palisades Fire, raging in a densely populated area near Los Angeles, is now 61% contained, while the Eaton Fire in Altadena has reached 87% containment. However, relentless winds threaten to undo weeks of progress by pushing the flames beyond established containment lines.
Authorities remain vigilant, fearing that embers carried by strong gusts could trigger new outbreaks or spread existing flames to neighboring areas.
New fires test crew readiness
In addition to dealing with large fires, firefighters were forced to respond to a wave of small fires fueled by high winds.
- Fire of the Brothers: A fire broke out near a San Diego shopping center, prompting evacuations as flames spread toward nearby homes.
- Fire Lilac: 85 acres burned in Bonsall but were quickly brought under control.
- Fire of Pala: A smaller fire in San Diego County was completely extinguished Tuesday.
- Fire at Griffith Observatory: A small fire broke out in the iconic park overlooking Los Angeles. Police have arrested a suspect who allegedly started the fire.
- Granada Hills Fire: Crews quickly contained flames along Interstate 405, but the incident temporarily closed northbound lanes.
These rapid responses highlight the importance of regional preparedness, with fire trucks and water-dropping aircraft strategically positioned in vulnerable areas.
Toxic runoff and post-fire risks
As if the threat of fire was not enough, authorities are now preparing for possible rain this weekend, which could make the disaster worse. triggering toxic ash runoff and debris flows.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued an executive order Tuesday aimed at speeding recovery efforts in burned areas, including removing vegetation, reinforcing hillsides and installing barriers to minimize the impacts of runoff. Ms Bass stressed the importance of these measures to protect both residents and the environment.
“This is about preventing additional damage to areas already ravaged by fire and protecting our watershed, beaches and ocean from toxic runoff,” Bass said at a news conference.
-Meteorologists are predicting a 60 to 80 percent chance of rain starting Saturday. While most areas are expected to receive less than a third of an inch of rain, localized thunderstorms could bring up to an inch of rain to some areas. This “worst-case scenario,” according to meteorologist Ryan Kittell, could trigger dangerous debris flows down charred hillsides.
Even if significant rain does not materialize, Kittell noted that this serves as a test for communities that may face post-fire flooding threats for months or years to come.
Power outages and public preparation
To reduce the risk of wildfires, Southern California Edison preemptively shut off power to more than 61,000 customers in five counties. Precautionary power outages are being considered for an additional 1,000 customers if conditions worsen.
Authorities urged residents to remain vigilant, review evacuation plans and prepare emergency kits. They also stressed the importance of immediately reporting any new fires.
Federal and state responses
California Governor Gavin Newsom has called for greater collaboration between federal and state agencies to manage the crisis. On Monday, he reiterated the need for federal support, saying, “I look forward to President Trump’s visit to Los Angeles and bringing the full weight of the federal government to bear to help our fellow Americans recover and rebuild . »
Former Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, traveled to Altadena on Monday to meet with firefighters, volunteers and victims of the Eaton Fire. Harris, whose Pacific Palisades home narrowly escaped the flames, expressed gratitude to first responders and solidarity with affected communities.
“We are here to thank the firefighters and the community for their incredible work,” Harris said. “It reminds us that we are all in this together. »
President Trump, who criticized California’s response to the wildfires during his inauguration speech, announced plans to visit Los Angeles on Friday. His administration has been scrutinized for its approach to disaster relief, with critics saying federal aid has not been enough to deal with the scale of the damage.
A region in crisis
Southern California is no stranger to wildfires, but the combination of this year’s extreme high winds, widespread destruction and the looming threat of rain have created an unprecedented challenge. As firefighters struggle to contain the flames and authorities prepare for possible flooding, the need for coordinated efforts at all levels of government has never been more evident.
The resilience of residents and first responders remains a positive point in the context of the crisis. However, the long road to recovery highlights the need for sustained support and proactive measures to mitigate the impacts of future disasters.
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