Southern California wildfires rage with hefty Santa Ana winds in forecast

Table of Contents

Millions of California residents were placed under a red flag warning through Thursday due to potential for additional fires, with high winds forecasted in the area.

Wednesday morning.

The southern part of the state is under a "particularly dangerous situation" red flag warning for parts of Ventura and Los Angeles counties, according to officials.

it has been destroyed, resulting in billions of dollars in damage.

The National Weather Service in Los Angeles said that Red Flag Warnings were extended to 8 p.m. on Thursday, despite the wind starting to weaken. This means that the risk of wildfires is still high due to the warm temperatures and low humidity, especially when combined with stronger wind gusts of 30 to 65 mph.

So far, 85 acres have been burned.

The fire was 91% contained as of Wednesday, with approximately 14,025 acres burned, according to CalFire.

The authorities reported 11 deaths in Pacific Palisades and 17 in the neighboring areas of Pasadena and Altadena within the Eaton fire region.

However, downtown LA has experienced no measurable rainfall since Christmas Eve, when just about 0.02 inches of rain fell. But a much-needed downpour is forecasted, giving hope to many weary officials tracking fires.

said Tuesday.

The afflicted region was expected to start feeling the effects as soon as this Friday. However, it is noted that President Trump has not yet spoken with California Governor Gavin Newsom, according to reports. Meanwhile, California Senator Kamala Harris departed Washington, D.C. on Monday and traveled to Los Angeles to visit a fire station and provide food and relief supplies to the affected area.

The city was taking "aggressive action" before the forecasted rain hit.

The mayor issued an executive order to both contain the damage to burn areas and prevent hazardous wreckage from spreading.

This morning on social media: "These winter storm events cause even more destruction in areas that were already severely damaged by wildfires."

Bass ordered the installation of reinforced barriers, removal of debris, and a diversion of stormwater from the Los Angeles stormwater system to the sewer system.

"This is to prevent more damage from fires that have already devastated the area, and to protect our watershed, beaches and the ocean from the pollutants that spilling water could bring," said Bass.

Trump has been critical of Governor Newsom's handling of the wildfires. On Tuesday, he pointed out a purported "valve" which, he claimed, could divert an unlimited amount of water.

Tech executives: "And you turn things around toward Los Angeles. Why aren't they doing it? They either have a death wish, they're stupid or there's something else going on that we don't understand."

On Monday, Newsom stated he looks "forward to President Trump's visit to Los Angeles and his mobilization of the full weight of the federal government to help our fellow Americans recover and rebuild," the governor wrote in a statement.