After nine days of battling two massive wildfires in Los Angeles, firefighters are finally seeing some respite as strong winds have eased significantly.
The hurricane-strength gusts that fueled the blazes and complicated rescue operations have now weakened into lighter breezes, offering much-needed relief.
The Eaton and Palisades fires, the largest currently burning, have ravaged a combined 40,000 acres, leaving at least 25 dead and destroying more than 12,000 structures. These wildfires are among the most destructive in Los Angeles’ recent history. Progress has been made in containing both fires, but the devastation continues to unfold.
Los Angeles has sought firefighting reinforcements from Mexico and Canada as efforts to control the fires persist. Red flag warnings issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) have been temporarily lifted but could return soon.
Ryan Kittell of the NWS told AFP, “There will be a big improvement for tonight and tomorrow, though there’ll still be some lingering areas of concern.”
Although winds have calmed, fire warnings remain critical across parts of Southern California. Rising humidity offers some relief, but the risk of flare-ups is still high, according to BBC Weather forecaster Paul Goddard. Rain is not expected in California over the next week, raising concerns about conditions in the affected areas.
Officials are also keeping a close watch on the Santa Ana winds, notorious for worsening wildfire conditions. These winds are expected to return early next week, potentially bringing gusts of up to 50 mph and increasing the risk of further red flag warnings.
The Palisades Fire, the largest of the two, remains active but has shown no further growth. The fire has burned 24,000 acres, and more than 20% has been contained as of Thursday morning.
“There are extreme hazards and extreme heat that still lie around the perimeter and the interior of this fire,” said Cal Fire incident manager Jim Hudson during a news conference in Malibu. He noted that 5,100 personnel are actively working to contain the blaze.
Meanwhile, the Eaton Fire, which has consumed over 14,000 acres north of the city, is now 45% contained. Tragically, it has accounted for most of the 25 confirmed fatalities. Some residents affected by the Eaton Fire have been permitted to return to their homes, but tens of thousands remain under evacuation orders. Night-time curfews are also in effect in several areas.
The damage from these wildfires ranks among the costliest natural disasters in US history. Climate scientists at ‘Climameter’ have attributed the severity of these fires to human-induced climate change. Their study found that conditions in the affected regions are now warmer, drier, and windier compared to historical norms, exacerbating the wildfires’ impact.
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