LA wildfire: Highest-level fire alert as winds gather pace

LOS ANGELES: Southern California is preparing for another round of “extremely critical fire conditions” as strong Santa Ana winds sweep through parts of Los Angeles (LA) and Ventura counties today and tomorrow, complicating efforts to contain devastating wildfires.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has warned that the persistent winds, which contributed to the rapid spread of the Palisades Fire, will continue through Wednesday. Although the winds are not expected to be as severe as on January 7, when multiple fires erupted, meteorologist Rich Thompson noted that critical fire weather conditions would persist over the region.

“Tonight and tomorrow, these winds will maintain the high fire risk,” Thompson said at a press briefing. A red flag warning remains in effect until 6 pm. Wednesday, with cooler and calmer weather anticipated later this week.

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The wildfires, driven by these fierce winds, have already claimed 24 lives and scorched 40,000 acres across the Greater Los Angeles area, leaving more than 12,300 structures destroyed. Entire communities have been devastated, and thousands have been forced to flee.

The Palisades Fire, the largest of the ongoing blazes, has burned over 23,000 acres and is only 18 per cent contained. It continues to threaten densely populated areas, including Brentwood, Encino, and Westwood.

Evacuation orders are in place for 88,000 residents in Los Angeles, with an additional 89,000 under evacuation warnings, meaning they may need to leave with little notice.

Los Angeles County has declared a public health emergency, citing the immediate and long-term health risks posed by smoke and particulate matter from the fires. Officials have urged residents to follow safety recommendations to protect their health.

As firefighting efforts continue, authorities emphasize the importance of remaining vigilant and prepared for rapidly changing conditions.