Red Flag warnings signaling extreme wildfire danger have now lifted across the Los Angeles area, yet meteorologists caution that dry and windy weather will continue today, keeping the risk of fires alive.
The National Weather Service also noted that the break for fire-stricken Los Angeles may be brief, predicting a high likelihood of renewed Red Flag warnings — whenever conditions of strong winds and low humidity prevail — starting again on Sunday.
Approximately 6.5 million people remain under a significant fire threat, as the fires have scorched an area nearly equivalent to the size of Washington, DC, resulting in at least 25 fatalities to date, according to officials.
Firefighters faced persistently vigorous and dry winds yesterday as they tackled two massive wildfires that have plagued Los Angeles for eight days, challenging the resilience of a city grappling with its most severe catastrophe in history.
“We want to emphasize the particularly hazardous situation today. Prepare now and be ready to evacuate,” County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath stated during a press conference yesterday.
The fires have damaged or obliterated over 12,000 homes and other structures.
Forecasted winds reaching up to 112 kph did not manifest yesterday; however, firefighters reported sustained winds between 48 to 64 kph along with low humidity in a region that has seen no significant rainfall in nine months, indicating that fire risks persist.
The damage from the fires has affected more than 12,000 homes and structures, forcing nearly 200,000 people to flee their residences. As of yesterday, about 82,400 individuals were under evacuation orders, with an additional 90,400 facing evacuation warnings, as stated by County Sheriff Robert Luna.
Entire neighborhoods have been devastated, leaving behind only smoldering ash and rubble, with many homes reduced to just standing chimney stacks.
Around 8,500 firefighters from across the western United States, Canada, and Mexico have successfully kept the expansion of the fires controllable for the past three days.
The Palisades Fire in the west part of the city remained steady at 23,713 acres burned, with containment rising to 19% — a measure of the size of the perimeter that is under control. Meanwhile, the Eaton Fire in the foothills east of the city measured 14,117 acres with containment at 45%.
Dark plumes of smoke are visible as a brush fire rages in Pacific Palisades.
A fleet of air tankers and helicopters has been dropping water and fire retardant into the rugged terrain while ground crews equipped with hand tools and hoses worked incessantly to control the blazes.
Aerial firefighting crews, also known as fire bombers, operate without advanced equipment or autopilot, relying solely on the pilot’s skill and perspective through the cockpit.
“I refer to it as ‘feeling the force,'” remarked pilot Diego Calderoni from a New Mexico-based contractor, alluding to the mystical energy referenced in the Star Wars films.
Hundreds of firefighters and emergency personnel from various locations are being accommodated outside the Rose Bowl football stadium, which serves as a base camp where colleagues foster camaraderie during their 24-hour shifts on and off.
“You’re all united in a common mission,” stated Martin Macias from the St Helena Fire Department in Northern California.
“We all entered this line of work to serve, to improve someone’s day during their darkest hour.”
Read More: Dust begins to settle as Los Angeles reels from wildfires
A new fire erupted yesterday in San Bernardino County, east of Los Angeles, consuming 30 acres, as reported by Cal Fire. Two additional fires in Southern California were reported to be largely under control.
Some residents of Los Angeles have been trying to regain a sense of normalcy.
Students and teachers displaced by the wildfire from Palisades Charter Elementary School have found refuge at the nearby Brentwood Elementary Science Magnet, where they were warmly welcomed.
“For children who have lost their homes and their school, this is absolutely heartbreaking. The way I can contribute is by ensuring that these children have somewhere to go. Even though we lost the physical building, our community remains intact,” said Palisades Charter Elementary Principal Juliet Herman.
Firefighters battle the Eaton Fire in Altadena.
Concerns over fire preparedness
While the fires continue, critics have raised questions regarding whether the city adequately prepared for the fire threat, despite National Weather Service alerts concerning hazardous conditions, although firefighters were on standby and could have deployed resources beforehand.
Fire Chief Kristin Crowley addressed questions regarding a Los Angeles Times report which claimed fire officials chose not to order 1,000 firefighters to stay on duty for an additional shift last Tuesday as the fires began to spiral out of control.
The Times referenced critics who argued that the outgoing shift should have remained in service and that up to 25 extra fire engines should have been stationed in the hills.
Ms. Crowley defended her department’s preparedness, noting it is impossible to predict precisely where fires may ignite and that some firefighters needed to be stationed in place to handle routine emergency calls throughout the city.
“We maximized our capabilities to respond where we could,” she explained.
The Times quoted Deputy Chief Richard Fields, who oversaw staffing and equipment decisions prior to the fire, acknowledging that scrutiny is appreciated but emphasizing that critics should not be so quick to second-guess decisions made in the heat of the moment.
