PASADENA, Calif. − As firefighters tackle two massive wildfires, anxious residents in Los Angeles County remain vigilant for a new round of Santa Ana winds, which have intensified the ongoing disaster in once-beautiful neighborhoods.

While winds weakened less than expected on Tuesday, firefighters made strides in managing the dangerous flames. However, Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley urged residents wishing to return to their homes to remain patient.

“We understand your eagerness to return home,” Crowley stated at a Wednesday briefing. “However, there are still significant safety hazards and issues with infrastructure, such as downed power lines, broken gas lines, dangerous materials, and unsafe water.”

The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for Los Angeles and Ventura counties, categorizing the situation as “particularly dangerous.” This warning is projected to stay in effect until Wednesday afternoon, with gusts in the mountains anticipated to reach 50-70 mph. Coastal and valley areas could see winds up to 50 mph, placing roughly 6.5 million people under a critical fire threat.

Despite the dire circumstances, there were some hopeful signs.

“Fortunately, the winds in the Santa Monica mountains will primarily affect the western third of the range, away from the Palisades Fire,” the weather service commented in its forecast. “And the good news is that today is expected to be the final day of significant wind.”

The fires have claimed at least 25 lives. More than 82,400 residents are under mandatory evacuation orders, and about 90,400 others have been issued evacuation warnings, as reported by Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna on Wednesday.

Cause of Fires Remains a Mystery, But Clues Emerge

It is widely recognized that strong winds, low humidity, and drought conditions have played key roles in the fires affecting Los Angeles County. However, the exact cause of their ignition is still under investigation.

Officials continue to look into the origins of the fires, but newly filed lawsuits and eyewitness accounts are providing potential leads regarding what might have sparked these blazes.

Investigators for the Palisades Fire are zeroing in on a ridgeline in western Los Angeles where the fire allegedly began, coinciding with an area where a New Year’s Day fire reportedly ignited due to fireworks, according to media sources. The Los Angeles Fire Department managed to contain the fire, but reignition remains a concern given the dry conditions persisting weeks later.

The Eaton Fire in Altadena is the subject of several lawsuits claiming that equipment from Southern California Edison caused the fire. The utility company has stated it has not been made aware of any equipment-related issues that could have led to the fire.

LA Mayor Bass Criticized for Being Abroad During Crisis

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is facing backlash for attending an embassy event in Ghana while the fire crisis unfolded at home, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.

Bass was part of a Biden administration delegation for the inauguration of Ghana’s president and was still at the gathering when massive smoke plumes became visible over much of Los Angeles.

Though Bass could not have predicted the devastation brought by the Palisades and Eaton fires while she was away, the Times highlighted that she traveled to Ghana on January 4, despite warnings from the National Weather Service about the extreme winds that heightened the risk of fires.

Bass, who previously served as a U.S. representative for Los Angeles County, had committed during her campaign to avoid international travel if she became mayor, a stark contrast to her current situation.

Reports of Arson Amid Ongoing Wildfires

Even amid significant wildfires, arson remains a concern in the area. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman confirmed that suspects were detained on arson charges for small fires in Irwindale and Industry on Wednesday.

Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell shared information about two arson arrests within the city, including one man who accepted responsibility for lighting a tree on fire, stating he enjoyed the scent of burning leaves. Another woman, who reportedly set multiple trash piles ablaze, told officers she “liked creating chaos and destruction,” as per McDonnell’s account.

“There are individuals who do this; it’s their behavior,” McDonnell cautioned. “If you know about these people, please report them to us before something terrible occurs.”

Couple Defends Their Home Amid Fire Threat

Robert Bullock and David Anderson chose to remain in their historic home outside Pasadena despite being in a mandatory evacuation zone. They felt compelled to protect their property from embers landing in their yard and roof as the Eaton Fire intensified last week.

“If we were isolated in the woods with a fire surrounding us, I would understand leaving, but this is different,” Bullock explained.

Yet, as the fire diminished, the couple had to confront intruders they suspected were looters, who seemed to take advantage of the deserted homes. They relied on a rifle they purchased two years prior for their safety but struggled to sleep during the first night of the fires.

“The initial two nights were horrendous,” Bullock recounted, mentioning that he could hear propane tanks and ammunition exploding in the distance amidst the flames, describing the sounds as reminiscent of combat in Iraq.

Pacific Palisades Residents Sue Los Angeles Water Authority

Over a dozen victims from the Pacific Palisades wildfire have filed a lawsuit against a public utility, alleging that failures in water supply contributed to the devastation. Residents and a local pizzeria owner claim the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) allowed fire hydrants to run dry just hours after the fire erupted. The plaintiffs asserted they all lost homes or businesses in the fire.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has called for an investigation into LADWP’s water supply challenges, while the utility has stated that its system faced unprecedented demand from the ongoing fires. They blamed the water shortages on “extreme and unanticipated demand,” complicating efforts to replenish water supplies and maintain pressure in hydrants.

“As soon as we identified the risk of losing water in our tanks and pressure in the system, we quickly deployed potable water tankers to help with firefighting efforts,” the agency stated in its response. Read more here.

− Minnah Arshad

Cal Fire: Residents Warned Against Coming to LA for Cleanup

Thousands of firefighters are engaged in battling the blazes, including numerous personnel sent from other states. However, Cal Fire has requested that individuals refrain from traveling to LA for cleanup efforts.

Incorrect information is being shared on social media, particularly on Facebook, suggesting that random individuals can come to California to join cleanup efforts in areas impacted by the fires.

“This is not true, and we want to make it clear that there is no such opportunity,” stated Cal Fire in an announcement. “We respectfully request that you do not call to ask about this.”

Los Angeles fire update: Positive progress noted

Cal Fire reported that the Palisades Fire has scorched 37 square miles and is currently 19% contained as of an update on Wednesday.

The Eaton Fire is now 45% contained with over 22 square miles impacted. Cal Fire anticipates that the fire will stay “within its current footprint.”

The Auto Fire, which ignited Monday evening in Ventura County, has affected 61 acres and is 47% contained. The authorities stated that they had halted the fire’s forward progression, and it remained “static in its original footprint.”

Severe fire weather and high winds expected in LA area next week

Forecasters have indicated that the current bout of intense Santa Ana winds is projected to ease later this week and into the weekend. However, gusty windstorms may return to the Los Angeles area next week. From January 22 to January 25, the National Weather Service reports that “another wave of Santa Ana winds could arise, coinciding with unusually dry weather.” The precise timing and intensity of this weather pattern are still uncertain.

Red flag warnings, indicating critical fire conditions, are set to expire across much of Los Angeles and Ventura counties on Wednesday evening, while fire weather alerts for mountainous regions north of Los Angeles have been extended through Thursday.

Potential for more power outages in LA area due to high winds

As of Wednesday, over 90,000 homes and businesses in Southern California were without power, with more than 30,000 in Los Angeles County and 32,000 in nearby San Bernardino County. Additionally, areas susceptible to wildfires may experience further power outages this week due to ongoing critical red flag warnings, as advised by the city’s water and power department.

The department urged residents, particularly those in mountainous regions, to be ready for possible outages by ensuring their phones are charged and that they have flashlights and extra batteries on hand.

“Local fire officials may request that LADWP shut off power lines as a precautionary measure to prevent wildfires and safeguard communities,” stated the Los Angeles Water and Power Department.

Restoration efforts for those losing power may not be immediate: “LADWP teams may not be able to re-energize power lines serving your residence or business straight away,” warned the department. “These actions are being implemented to ensure public safety.”

Which schools are currently open in Los Angeles?

Many students in Los Angeles County attend schools that were either completely destroyed or damaged due to the wildfires. Most schools in the area reopened on Wednesday, but several remained closed due to fears that strong winds could reignite the fires.

The Los Angeles Unified School District, the second-largest in the U.S., reopened the majority of its schools on Monday and is considering resuming activities like recess, outdoor physical education classes, and sports this week.

Some institutions have yet to reopen since the wildfires began last week. For instance, the Pasadena Unified School District, which caters to around 14,000 students, is not scheduled to resume classes until at least next Monday.

Classes at the University of California, Los Angeles, will continue to be held online through Friday.

Desperate families seek to rescue their pets

The wildfires have sparked a significant effort to rescue pets, with Krissy Simmel among the many unofficial volunteers taking action.

Erik Morentin, a 35-year-old non-profit consultant, traveled to Pacific Palisades on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday to save the cats belonging to his elderly mother-in-law and her roommate. Morentin shared with YSL News that he was denied entry each day, being told that only residents could return for medication, not pets. By Friday, he was about to give up.

Then, Simmel intervened, convincing security to let her escort Morentin to the house, which was unharmed and where the cats were safe, according to Morentin.

“I dashed back to Sunset (Boulevard), and Krissy met me in her Jeep; it was just so overwhelming,” he expressed. “I simply said, ‘Thank you so much. You just saved these cats’ lives.’” Read more here.

− Josh Peter

Authorities continue search for missing individuals

At least 25 fatalities have been reported due to the wildfires, as indicated by an update from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, which initially reported an additional death from the Eaton Fire on Tuesday, later identified as non-human remains.

On Tuesday night, the county medical examiner confirmed another casualty linked to the Palisades Fire. Currently, the Eaton Fire accounts for at least 16 fatalities, while the Palisades Fire has claimed at least nine lives.

Search and rescue operations are ongoing, with local officials continuing door-to-door efforts to locate missing individuals. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna stated on Tuesday that there are still 24 people unaccounted for in areas impacted by the Palisades and Eaton fires.

Contributing: YSL News Network; Reuters