Red Flag Fire Warning Extended as Firefighters Battle Blazes in Los Angeles County
Red Flag Fire Warning Extended
A red flag fire weather warning in Los Angeles County was extended to Friday as firefighters continue to battle multiple wildfires fueled by strong Santa Ana winds.
Firefighters Work Tirelessly to Protect Homes
Firefighters from around Southern California and beyond have been battling flames since Tuesday morning when the first gusts from a powerful Santa Ana windstorm fanned the Palisades Fire in the Santa Monica Mountains above coastal Los Angeles County. The fire has burned thousands of acres, destroyed hundreds of structures, and led to five deaths.
Winds to Gradually Diminish, but Remain Strong
Winds will gradually diminish Thursday, but only slightly, and will peak Thursday evening into early Friday morning. The red flag warning, indicating that any fires that start will spread rapidly, is set to expire at 6 p.m. Friday.
Firefighters’ Challenge
"This is what our crews train for," said LAFD Capt. Adam Vangerpen. "We’re used to keeping long hours. What’s keeping us going is there’s work to do. There are still homes on fire, there are people being evacuated. We’re just at the beginning stages of this. Once the fires are out, we have to move into the recovery phase. Right now, we’re at zero-percent containment."
Weather Forecast
"The winds that we had late Tuesday into Wednesday, those were what the National Weather Service called a Particularly Dangerous Situation," said NBC4 meteorologist Belen De Leon. "We had gusts that reached 90 mph above. This time, it’s going to be more of a typical Santa Ana wind event."
Areas Under Red Flag Warning
The Santa Clarita Valley, Malibu Coast, Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, Calabasas, Agoura Hills, San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel Mountains, San Gabriel Valley, and the 5 and 14 freeway corridors are among the areas under the warning.
Fire Updates
On Tuesday night, a wind gust of 98 mph was reported in the Saddle Peak area of the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area. A 97 mph gust was recorded in the eastern San Gabriel Mountains. Several other mountain areas recorded winds topping 80 mph.
Conclusion
As the situation continues to unfold, firefighters are working tirelessly to protect homes and contain the blazes. While the winds are expected to gradually diminish, the threat of fire remains, and residents are advised to remain vigilant.
FAQs
Q: What is a red flag fire warning?
A: A red flag fire warning is issued by the National Weather Service when winds are expected to be strong enough to spread fires rapidly.
Q: What areas are under the red flag warning?
A: The Santa Clarita Valley, Malibu Coast, Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, Calabasas, Agoura Hills, San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel Mountains, San Gabriel Valley, and the 5 and 14 freeway corridors are among the areas under the warning.
Q: How many fires are burning in Los Angeles County?
A: At least five significant fires are burning in Los Angeles County, with the largest being a nearly 16,000-acre blaze in Pacific Palisades.
