Weary LA Firefighters Brace For ‘Last’ Dangerous Winds
AFP/APP
Los Angeles: Exhausted Los Angeles firefighters are preparing for more dangerously strong winds as California’s governor criticized the spread of “hurricane-force winds of misinformation” surrounding the deadly fires that have claimed 27 lives.
The two largest wildfires, which have destroyed nearly 40,000 acres (16,000 hectares) and leveled entire neighborhoods in Los Angeles, are now over half contained, officials confirmed.
However, the National Weather Service warned of more severe conditions starting Monday, with powerful gusts of up to 80 miles (130 kilometers) per hour and very low humidity, leading to heightened fire risks.
Governor Gavin Newsom expressed hope that this would be the final extreme wind event, following three major wind events in the past three months — a stark contrast to the two such events in the previous four years.
“We hope this is the last… of the extreme,” Newsom stated on MSNBC’s “Inside with Jen Psaki,” as he announced that 135 fire engines, helicopters, and bulldozers were prepositioned to tackle potential flare-ups.
The largest fire, the Palisades Fire, is 52 percent contained, and it has resulted in at least 10 fatalities. Meanwhile, evacuation orders have been lifted in upscale western Los Angeles, with recovery efforts focused on urban search and rescue operations and restoring utilities.
While officials tackle the fire, looting has also been reported. Two suspects were arrested Saturday after attempting to pass through a checkpoint in a vehicle resembling a fire truck, which they had purchased through an auction.
In eastern Los Angeles, the Eaton Fire, which claimed at least 17 lives in the Altadena area, is now 81 percent contained.
Many evacuees were joyously reunited with their missing pets, including Serena Null, who found her cat Domino after fearing it had perished in the flames. Domino was rescued with singed paws and a burnt nose and was brought to Pasadena Humane for care.
As fire crews continue to battle the blazes, local authorities remain vigilant against the continued threat of strong winds and fires in the coming days.
