Strong Santa Ana winds and low humidity will keep fanning the flames in Southern California through Wednesday, as firefighters continue battling multiple wildfires in Los Angeles.
The National Weather Service (NWS) Los Angeles office issued a warning on Saturday that the conditions will keep the city under a critical fire risk. As of Sunday, the Palisades blaze, the largest in the city, is only 11 percent contained.
Newsweek contacted the NWS and California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) via email for comment.
The Context
High winds and dry conditions pose a significant threat to life and property as they create an ideal environment for wildfires to ignite and spread rapidly.
The death toll of the fires has reached 16, and over 12,300 structures have been destroyed according to Cal Fire, with more at risk as weather conditions persist.
What To Know
The NWS has issued red-flag warnings across Southern California, lasting through 6 p.m. Wednesday.
The warnings cover Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside Counties, where northeast winds of 15 to 30 mph, with gusts reaching 75 mph in mountainous regions, are expected to spread the wildfires.
Daytime humidity levels will remain between 10 percent and 20 percent, with little recovery at night, further complicating firefighting efforts.
The NWS forecasts that wind conditions will die down by Thursday.
According to Cal Fire, the Palisades blaze is now 11 percent contained and has grown to 23,654 acres as of Sunday, with new evacuations issued for parts of Brentwood and Encino.
The Eaton fire near Altadena is 15 percent contained and has spread to 14,005 acres.
The Kenneth blaze is 1,052 acres and 90 percent contained, and the Hurst fire is 799 acres and 76 percent contained.
What People Are Saying
National Weather Service, Los Angeles, said in an announcement: "These winds combined with dry air and dry vegetation will keep the fire weather threat in the area. Continue to practice fire safety by avoiding work that creates sparks, report any smoke, and stay informed. Gather items you will need, should you be evacuated."
Rose Schoenfeld, National Weather Service meteorologist, said to the Los Angeles Times: "Our concern is winds picking up tonight and then on Monday through Wednesday. The general duration of this is not looking good."
Don Fregulia, an operations section chief for Cal Fire, said to the LA Times: "We're using all the tools in our toolbox to put this fire out. But … it's many days, many weeks of work."
What Happens Next
Critical fire weather conditions will persist through midweek as Santa Ana winds intensify. The NWS predicts a potential respite by Thursday or Friday, with increased humidity and a slight chance of rain, offering hope for containment efforts.
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