Most Serious Warning Issued for a Battered, Weary Region
Extreme Fire Weather and Wind Scenario
The National Weather Service has issued the most serious red flag fire weather warning for swaths of Los Angeles and Ventura counties starting before dawn Tuesday, underlining the continuing threat in a region weary after nearly a week of firestorms. This warning, known as a “particularly dangerous situation,” is one of the loudest ways that the National Weather Service can shout.
“This is a continued extreme fire weather and wind scenario,” said Rose Schoenfeld, a National Weather Service meteorologist. Gusts could range from 45 mph to 70 mph, and the air will be quite dry, especially Tuesday, with relative humidity as low as 5%. There will be a higher risk of power outages, rapid fire spread, and extreme fire behavior, with fires able to travel swiftly as embers fly at high speeds.
“Do NOT do anything that could spark a fire,” the weather service said. The particularly dangerous situation warning was set to go into effect at 4 a.m. Tuesday and continue through noon Wednesday.
Preparations Underway
Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said that fire crews had made extensive preparations in advance of this latest extreme weather event.
“I want to reassure you that your LAFD, all of our regional partners, every single agency that has come from up and down this state and outside of the state — we are ready,” she said Sunday afternoon.
These preparations include reinforcing fire control lines around the Eaton and Palisades fires, clearing dry brush away from surviving structures, and staging resources in areas where new fires could ignite.
“We’ve pre-positioned additional engines, fire crews, helicopters, bulldozers, and water tenders across all of Southern California,” said Nancy Ward, director of the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.
Crews are also preparing for a worst-case scenario where high winds prevent the use of firefighting aircraft by strategically dropping retardant around the fires’ perimeters.
“If [aircraft] get grounded, we have actually built ourselves a little bit of barrier in time for crews to get in there,” said L.A. County Fire Battalion Chief Christian Litz on Sunday afternoon.
Search and Recovery Operations Underway
Sunday’s sobering forecast came as the number of confirmed deaths from the devastating Palisades and Eaton fires jumped to 24. Eight of the fire victims died in the Palisades fire, and 16 in the Eaton fire in Altadena, according to a news release from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.
Officials warn that the toll will probably keep rising. Search and recovery operations are underway in both the Eaton and Palisades fire zones using cadaver dogs and grid searches, said L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna.
Fires Among the Deadliest in California’s Modern History
The fires are among the deadliest in California’s modern history. The state’s deadliest wildfire remains the Camp fire, which leveled the town of Paradise in Butte County in 2018 and killed at least 85 people. The second deadliest was the Griffith Park fire of 1933, with 29 fatalities; followed by the Oakland-Berkeley hills fire of 1991, where 25 died; and the Tubbs fire in Napa and Sonoma counties in 2017, with 22 killed.
Although there is no final tally yet of structures burned, the fires are also already among the most destructive in modern California history. According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the Palisades fire has burned more than 5,300 structures, and the Eaton fire more than 5,000, ranking as the third- and fourth-most destructive fires on record.
Investigation into Cause of Eaton Fire
As officials try to determine the cause of the Eaton fire, which burned areas in and around Altadena, investigators have focused on an electrical transmission tower in Eaton Canyon. Early photos and videos taken by residents captured what appeared to be the first flames of the deadly Eaton fire burning at the base of the Southern California Edison electrical transmission tower before racing down the canyon toward homes.
Southern California Edison officials have so far said they do not believe their electrical equipment was responsible.
Higher Risk of Downed Trees and Power Lines
There will be a higher risk of downed trees and power lines than with a typical red flag fire weather warning, Schoenfeld said. Public safety power shutoffs are more likely in the area of the particularly dangerous situation.
Respite in Extreme Fire Weather Expected
There is expected to be a respite in extreme fire weather starting Thursday and lasting through the weekend or so, “with lighter winds and increasing humidities,” Schoenfeld said.
Conclusion
The region is bracing for another day of extreme fire weather and wind, with the National Weather Service issuing its most serious warning yet. Fire crews are preparing for the worst, and residents are urged to take precautions to prevent sparking a fire. The death toll from the Palisades and Eaton fires continues to rise, and officials warn that it will likely continue to do so.
FAQs
Q: What is a particularly dangerous situation warning?
A: A particularly dangerous situation warning is the most serious type of red flag fire weather warning issued by the National Weather Service, indicating extreme fire weather and wind conditions.
Q: What are the conditions expected during the warning?
A: Gusts could range from 45 mph to 70 mph, and the air will be quite dry, especially Tuesday, with relative humidity as low as 5%. There will be a higher risk of power outages, rapid fire spread, and extreme fire behavior.
Q: What are the preparations underway to combat the fires?
A: Fire crews have made extensive preparations, including reinforcing fire control lines, clearing dry brush, and staging resources in areas where new fires could ignite.
Q: How many people have been arrested in connection with the fires?
A: 29 people have been arrested overnight in the fire zones, including one burglary suspect who was allegedly dressed as a firefighter.
