Strengthening Winds Create New Challenges for Fire-Devastated Los Angeles
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Los Angeles, Jan 13 (NationPress) As firefighters persist in combating severe wildfires in the Los Angeles area, forecasts indicate that winds are set to strengthen in the forthcoming days, which may further hinder rescue operations.
Local officials report that gusty winds alongside ongoing dry conditions are escalating the extreme fire risks in the region.
Northeast wind gusts exceeded 50 miles (approximately 80 km) per hour on Sunday, with the potent Santa Ana winds expected to intensify shortly.
These gusts, in conjunction with low humidity and extremely dry vegetation, will maintain the fire threat in Los Angeles County at a “very high” level, stated Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone.
Currently, three active wildfires are wreaking havoc in Los Angeles County, scorching nearly 40,300 acres (around 163 square km), according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE).
The wildfire-related death toll has climbed to 24 as of Sunday, with 8 fatalities linked to the Palisades fire and 16 to the Eaton fire.
The two largest fires are reported to be 11 percent and 27 percent contained, respectively, as per CAL FIRE, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
More than 12,300 structures have been destroyed, and over 100,000 individuals have been evacuated from various disaster zones.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has dispatched an additional 1,000 members of the California National Guard to Los Angeles as of Sunday, raising the total number of CalGuard service personnel in the region to approximately 2,500, according to the governor's office.
CalGuard members are aiding in wildfire suppression efforts, stationed at traffic control checkpoints and offering protection in certain burn zones.
At least 29 individuals have been arrested, primarily for looting, since the wildfires erupted in Los Angeles last week, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna.
A curfew from 6 pm to 6 am is enforced across the disaster zones surrounding Pacific Palisades and Altadena, the areas most severely impacted by the fires.
