[Santa Ana winds are whipping Southern California, sparking fresh fears that progress made fighting wildfires that have scorched over 40,000 acres and left 28 dead could be reversed and more blazes could break out. New wildfires have flared in San Diego County, but fire activity has already decreased significantly in the 80-acre Lilac Fire, which is now 10% contained.
The Pala Fire was stopped at 17 acres, and evacuation orders were lifted, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office said. Another wildfire briefly broke out near the famed Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles on Monday, but firefighters quickly put it out, with no damage to nearby structures.
The Palisades Fire in Los Angeles County, which has burned 23,713 acres, was 63% contained, and LA’s Eaton Fire was 89% contained at 14,021 acres as of Tuesday, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said. Since the latest wind event began, hurricane-force gusts of 74 mph or more have roared over the region’s mountains and valleys.
Sill Hill, in the San Diego County Mountains, saw 102 mph gusts and Magic Mountain in Angeles National Forest, in the San Gabriel Mountains, had 88 mph gusts. The potent Santa Ana winds will calm down later Tuesday, but winds will still be gusty at times through Thursday afternoon. These gusts, combined with continued dry conditions, will keep fire weather risks elevated.
A “particularly dangerous situation” warning has expired, but red flag warnings remain in effect until 10 p.m. PT Tuesday. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued a windblown dust and ash advisory through Tuesday at 10 p.m. PT due to the strong winds and the particles left behind by the fires potentially impacting air quality throughout the county.
Firefighting teams pre-deployed in anticipation of the high winds and greater fire risk, officials said. The Los Angeles Fire Department deployed all available resources and strategically positioned fire patrols and fire engines in the high-risk areas across the city of Los Angeles, while also managing their emergency operations to ensure a rapid response to all new fires.
Residents at the staging area must provide identification or documentation proving they live in the community and will be provided with kits containing N95 masks and goggles to use in the burn zones. Rainfall has been scarce across Southern California, but there is a chance of rain in the forecast for this weekend – a mixed blessing for a region starved for moisture for months but also blighted with chemically contaminated burn scars in areas prone to mudslides.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued an executive order to shore up burn areas and stem the flow of toxic debris should it rain over the weekend. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health extended an ocean advisory warning residents to avoid any contact with the water at certain beaches due to the ash from the Los Angeles Fires.
President Donald Trump will visit California on Friday to survey the damage caused by the devastating wildfires. Former Vice President Kamala Harris flew to Los Angeles Monday afternoon, visited a fire station, and distributed food to community members impacted by the wildfires.
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