Concerns Rise Over Wildfires in LA: Strong Winds and Mudslides Expected Next Week. Live Updates
LOS ANGELES − Firefighters are steadily battling deadly fires that have devastated numerous homes and structures in the area, but officials are warning residents to prepare for a return of strong winds which could reignite and spread the flames, as stated on Thursday.
Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley expressed concern over a significant amount of dry, unburned fuel and low humidity, combined with the impending return of the fierce Santa Ana winds next week, which could result in more destruction. She encouraged residents to clear brush from within 200 feet of their homes.
“Embers from a wildfire can reach homes over a mile away,” Crowley mentioned during a press briefing on Thursday. She urged residents to give first responders a “fighting chance” to protect homes if the fires spread.
Mudslides also pose a threat. Los Angeles County Public Works Director Mark Pestrella anticipated “massive debris flows” once rainfall occurs in the area, indicating that the county is rushing to prepare flood control measures for this possibility.
The wildfires have turned entire neighborhoods along the Pacific Coast and areas near the San Gabriel Mountains into ash and debris. At least 25 lives have been lost in the fires, with over 12,000 homes, businesses, and other buildings either damaged or destroyed.
At the height of the fires, around 200,000 individuals were forced to evacuate their residences. As of Wednesday, approximately 82,400 people remained under mandatory evacuation orders, while another 90,400 were facing evacuation warnings, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna on Thursday.
Latest Developments:
∎ Power outages continued to drop on Thursday as recovery progresses. fewer than 15,000 homes and businesses were without electricity in Los Angeles County, with under 30,000 in San Bernardino County, and outages in Ventura County falling below 2,000.
∎ The Balmer Group, established by Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Balmer, announced a $15 million emergency fund donation to assist “the many people affected by these fires, especially in the historic and diverse community of Altadena.”
LA Fires Update: Progress in Containment of Palisades Fire
The Palisades and Eaton fires, along with several minor blazes, have burned nearly 40,000 acres in Los Angeles County, according to Cal Fire. Light winds late Wednesday and Thursday facilitated firefighter efforts, Crowley noted.
“We were fortunate that the latest wind conditions did not worsen the Palisades Fire,” Crowley stated. “We are united in our effort to recover from these catastrophic fires.”
The Palisades Fire was reported to be 22% contained Thursday, with aerial footage indicating that approximately 5,000 homes, businesses, and other structures may have sustained damage or been destroyed, according to Cal Fire.
The Eaton Fire was 55% contained, with more than 6,000 buildings reported damaged or destroyed so far by Cal Fire.
Gov. Newsom Streamlines Temporary Housing Rules
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced an executive order on Thursday aimed at assisting the housing needs of thousands of evacuees displaced by the wildfires. The order directs state departments to support local governments in creating temporary housing plans and simplifies the process for constructing and occupying “accessory dwelling units,” which are small living spaces sharing a lot with larger homes.
The order also eases the criteria for placing temporary trailers and other housing options on properties while residential buildings are rebuilt, and extends bans on price gouging for hotels, motels, and rental housing in Los Angeles County until March 8.
“Today, we are speeding up the process for establishing new temporary housing by removing obstacles and enhancing protections against exploitation,” Newsom said in an official statement.
Drought Intensifies Fire Threat
A “severe drought” designation was expanded to encompass all of Southern California due to a dry onset of the water year starting October 1, as per the federal Drought Monitor summary released Thursday. This drought designation indicates that year-to-date rainfall has averaged less than 5% of normal levels, affecting Los Angeles and Ventura counties, where the deadly wildfires have been raging for over a week.
The report highlighted that this dry start follows two years of wet winters in the area. These wet winters promote vegetation growth that can later serve as fuel for fires when drought conditions take hold.
Residents Consider Rebuilding
As fires call upon Los Angeles County, discussions about the potential rebuilding of affected areas are starting to emerge. In a region known for high property values, dealing with a housing crisis, and the constant threat of natural disasters like fires, earthquakes, and mudslides can appear overwhelming. Becky Nicolaides, whose home was lost, shared with YSL News that she and her family likely won’t return to reconstruct their former home. However, she also sees the fires as a learning moment for urban planning.
“If we decide to rebuild these areas now, should we replicate what was originally there?” she asked. “I believe that is not wise. This could represent, in some way, an unexpected opportunity to construct better.” Read more here.
− Karissa Waddick
Hilton Offers Complimentary Hotel Stays
In collaboration with American Express, Hilton has announced the availability of 20,000 hotel room nights at no charge for evacuees throughout the greater Los Angeles area. Hilton stated it is coordinating with the Los Angeles County non-profit organization 211 LA to manage room placements for individuals displaced by the wildfires. Applicants can fill out an online form to apply.
“We are in regular contact with all local hotels and greatly appreciate the efforts of our team members who have been going above and beyond to assist the community,” said Hilton CEO Christopher Nassetta in a statement.
Red Cross Offers Assistance for Fire Relief
The American Red Cross is mobilizing hundreds of its staff to provide essential support during this difficult time, ensuring that no individual confronts their struggles alone. They are delivering food, shelter, emotional support, and other vital services to those affected by the fires. Many evacuees are finding shelter in the Pasadena Convention Center and other Red Cross or partner facilities, as the agency noted in a statement.
Disaster health volunteers are on-site to address minor injuries and assist with replacing essentials like eyeglasses and medications, while mental health professionals offer emotional support to those dealing with severe losses. Financial aid initiatives are also being implemented, according to the organization.
Jet Propulsion Lab Staff Affected by Eaton Fire
Employees at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, located just outside Pasadena, have been working remotely since the lab’s closure due to the fires more than a week ago.
Located within the Eaton Fire evacuation zone, lab director Laurie Leshin reported that many individuals have lost their homes. The lab has remained closed except for activities deemed “essential,” according to her statements.
“We are providing crucial assistance to firefighting helicopters,” she mentioned in a social media update. “Our primary focus is on our @NASAJPL community. Unfortunately, 200 JPL employees have lost everything.”
Martin Lo, 72, a key mission designer at JPL, alongside his husband William Wentzel, has also suffered the loss of their home due to the fire. In an interview with the Pasadena Star-News, they shared that numerous friends, some of whom they had not connected with in decades, have reached out offering them places to stay.
“It was truly heartwarming,” Lo said. “Although we lost tangible things, it appears we have immense wealth in our friends, colleagues, and students.”
Newsom bans ‘predatory’ land offers
Residents who have lost homes in the wildfires around Los Angeles last week are already being approached for buyouts of their valuable properties. In response, Newsom has intervened to prevent land speculators from taking advantage of the situation.
In an executive order issued on Tuesday, Newsom placed a temporary ban on “unsolicited undervalued offers” to purchase properties within 15 specific fire-impacted ZIP codes, including Altadena and Pacific Palisades, which were affected by the Eaton and Palisades fires, respectively.
“As families grieve, the last thing they need is to have greedy speculators exploit their suffering,” Newsom stated. “We will not permit selfish developers to take advantage of these working-class communities when they need support the most.” Read more here.
‘The ecosystem is going to change’
Once it rains, the canyons and hillsides that were scorched by wildfires will likely send debris tumbling down into ravines and drainage systems, ultimately reaching the Pacific Ocean. Experts predict that the recent wildfires will leave Los Angeles facing an unprecedented environmental disaster with lasting consequences, ranging from toxic ash contaminating yards and playgrounds to increased asthma incidents, drinking water pollution, and even a heightened risk of dementia associated with wildfire particulate exposure.
“It’s catastrophic, absolutely catastrophic,” said Marjan Khonsari, a longtime Santa Monica resident and co-founder of Kapowui Surf Lessons. “The entire ecosystem will undergo significant changes.” Read more here.
Los Angeles County health officials prohibit fire debris removal
The Los Angeles County Health Officer has enacted a new mandate banning the cleanup or removal of fire debris from damaged properties until an approved government agency conducts a hazardous materials inspection.
Key affected fire areas include those impacted by the Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth, Creek, Hurst, and Lidia fires, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
“This order is intended to safeguard public health and safety during the fire debris cleanup,” the department elaborated in a statement. “The directive specifically pertains to fire debris cleanup or removal and does not limit the removal of personal belongings from private residences.”
This order followed a prohibition on the use of leaf blowers for ash cleanup due to inhalation hazards. Residents of Los Angeles have been advised to remain indoors with windows closed and to wear an N-95 mask or respirator for safety.
What caused the LA wildfires?
Much remains unclear regarding the origins of the fires that have devastated neighborhoods and displaced tens of thousands of residents.
According to meteorologists and scientists, a confluence of weather conditions created the perfect environment for the fires’ rapid spread: high winds akin to hurricane force, low humidity levels, and ongoing drought conditions.
In addition to investigating the immediate causes of the fires, authorities are also examining potential issues with water supply and pressure at fire hydrants in Pacific Palisades, a wealthy community hit hard by a wildfire that overwhelmed the local water infrastructure.
While officials have yet to disclose the specific causes of the fires, several lawsuits and statements from the region’s largest utility provider have hinted at possible explanations.
Contributing: Christopher Cann; Reuters
