LA Region Faces Another ‘Particularly Dangerous Situation’ with High Winds and Fire Threat

Fire Crews Make Progress, but Windy Conditions Ahead

As another windstorm is set to hit Southern California starting Monday, January 20, fire crews are nearing full containment of the Eaton fire and made a marginal increase in containment of the Palisades fire overnight into Monday morning, officials said.

Air Resources Continue to Assist Firefighters

Air resources continued to assist firefighters battling the Eaton by extinguishing hot spots in steep terrain near Winters Creek, Mt. Lowe, and Mt. Wilson, Angeles National Forest officials said Monday. The fire was now 87% contained.

Fire Size Slightly Downgraded

Officials also slightly downgraded the acreage of the fire, which now stands at 14,021, nearly 100 acres less than what had been reported for most of last week.

Palisades Fire Making Steady Progress

Near the coast, the Palisades fire was 59% contained as of Monday morning as firefighters continue to make steady progress, Cal Fire officials said.

Windy Conditions Ahead

But firefighters will again be challenged as Santa Ana winds return Monday afternoon, with peak gusts up to 70 mph possible in the coasts and valleys, and up to 100 mph were possible in the mountains, according to the National Weather Service.

"Particularly Dangerous Situation" Warning

A "particularly dangerous situation red flag" warning — an official high alert issued by the National Weather Service — will be in effect from noon Monday to 10 a.m. Tuesday, Angeles National Forest officials said.

Fires Ignited During January 7 Windstorm

Both fires ignited on January 7 during a windstorm with peak gusts up to 100 mph in the western San Gabriel Mountains.

Fire Damage Assessments Ongoing

The Eaton fire has damaged or destroyed more than 10,000 structures, according to the latest numbers from the Angeles National Forest. Damage assessments had been completed for 98% of all structures within the fire’s perimeter, officials said. More than 6,800 were damaged or destroyed by the Palisades fire, according to Cal Fire’s latest update, though it was unclear how many structures within the fire’s perimeter had yet to be checked.

Conclusion

The fires are expected to amount to the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history by the time all the damage is assessed.

FAQs

• When did the fires start? January 7
• How much of the Eaton fire is contained? 87%
• How much of the Palisades fire is contained? 59%
• What are the wind gust predictions for Monday afternoon? Up to 70 mph in the coasts and valleys, and up to 100 mph in the mountains
• How many structures have been damaged or destroyed by the Eaton fire? Over 10,000
• How many structures have been damaged or destroyed by the Palisades fire? Over 6,800