Strong Winds Forecast to Return, Threatening LA’s Fight Against Wildfires

Strong Winds Forecast to Return, Threatening LA’s Fight Against Wildfires

Photograph: Mark Edward Harris/ZUMA Press Wire/REX/Shutterstock

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Fierce winds return, and Los Angeles area officials prepare for the worst. Additional water tankers and hundreds of firefighters arrived Monday to combat the growing threat of high winds that could undo recent progress in containing two massive wildfires. These fires, which have already claimed at least 24 lives and destroyed thousands of homes, are among the deadliest to strike the region this season.

Firefighting planes have been dropping fire-retardant chemicals over homes and hillsides, while ground crews continue to reinforce vulnerable areas, particularly those with dry brush. Water trucks have been mobilized to refill hydrants that ran dry during the past week’s fire surges.

Resident Tabitha Trosen captured the daily nervousness felt in her neighborhood. “Our cats are ready to go, we have their carriers by the door prepped with their little stuffed animals,” Trosen said. Her words encapsulate the increased fear of losing homes and evacuation readiness at any time.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and fire officials remain optimistic about the region’s preparedness, citing the influx of additional support from firefighters across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. “We’re better prepared,” said LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone, referencing the response to last week’s fires when hurricane-force winds fueled the flames, leaving the region dry and vulnerable.

The National Weather Service has issued an extreme fire danger warning for much of Southern California through Wednesday. Wind gusts could reach 70 mph (112 kph), potentially grounding firefighting aircraft and hindering efforts to contain the fires.

Residents in the at-risk zones are advised to leave early if they feel the danger and are encouraged not to wait for orders from fire officials. For instance, La Crescenta resident Tim Kang fled early last week because of fear that smoke and fast-moving flames might overwhelm the area.

As of Monday, the Eaton Fire near Pasadena was about one-third contained, and the Pacific Palisades blaze remained much less controlled. The fires have torched more than 62 square miles in less than a week, an area roughly three times the size of Manhattan. Firefighters face an even greater challenge as the winds are expected to intensify, making containment efforts difficult.