In the face of the threat of strong winds, more firefighters and water tankers have arrived in the Los Angeles area to participate in firefighting efforts.
Last week, as firefighters worked hard to control the blaze, local fire hydrants and water tanks ran dry, and these water tankers are now being used to replenish water sources. Firefighters from the United States, Canada, and Mexico have also rushed to the scene to provide assistance.
The devastating fire has already claimed the lives of 24 people and destroyed over 12,000 structures.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna stated on Monday (13th) that this number could rise as at least 20 people are still reported missing. Luna emphasized the importance of patience as people long to return home.
In less than a week, four major fires have scorched over 62 square miles (approximately 161 square kilometers) of land, roughly three times the size of Manhattan.
Currently, the Eaton fire near Pasadena is approximately 35% contained, while the largest wildfire in Pacific Palisades along the coast has a containment rate of just 17%.
All departments involved in firefighting efforts in Los Angeles held a briefing session on Tuesday morning. It was revealed that with the efforts of 5,200 personnel, containment lines have been established around the Palisades fire.
On Monday, planes sprayed pink fire retardant around homes and hillsides in the city, while firefighting teams and trucks were deployed in particularly dry brush areas.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the destructive Santa Ana winds that caused damage last week are expected to strengthen again on Tuesday morning and persist until Wednesday afternoon, reaching speeds of up to 65 miles per hour on Tuesday.
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone stated that the winds are unlikely to reach hurricane strength as they did last week, but they could ground firefighting aircraft. If wind speeds reach 70 mph, controlling the fires will become extremely challenging.
Therefore, officials have advised residents in high-risk areas to evacuate immediately if they feel threatened, rather than waiting for formal evacuation orders.
Around 1 p.m. local time on Tuesday, the NWS Los Angeles office stated on X platform, “Winds are currently relatively light, but are expected to strengthen later tonight and continue into Wednesday afternoon.”
Currently, fewer than 100,000 people in Los Angeles County remain under evacuation orders, half the number from last week.
However, a large swath of Southern California around Los Angeles remains under an extreme wildfire danger warning until Wednesday, including densely populated areas such as Thousand Oaks, Northridge, and West Valley.
Marrone faced criticism last week for his handling of the fires. When asked how the current situation differs from a week ago, he said, “We are definitely better prepared this time.”
Over 8,500 firefighters have been working tirelessly from the air and ground to extinguish the fires, successfully preventing the blazes from spreading further between Monday and Tuesday nights.
Southern California has seen little significant rain for over eight months. Since the new year began, over a dozen wildfires have occurred in Southern California, with many in the Greater Los Angeles area.
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell announced that three individuals have been arrested on suspicion of arson.
One suspect allegedly used a barbecue lighter to start flames, another lit a trash can on fire, and the third was caught igniting bushes. McDonnell stated that all these small fires were quickly extinguished.
Over 12,000 homes, vehicles, and other structures have been destroyed by the flames, and the authorities have yet to determine the cause of the fires.
According to AccuWeather’s initial estimates, the Los Angeles wildfires may become the costliest in American history, with economic losses potentially exceeding $250 billion.