Southern California is bracing for a renewed wave of wildfire danger as fierce Santa Ana winds sweep across the region, driving embers and threatening to ignite new blazes. Local officials issued stark warnings on Tuesday, cautioning residents to remain vigilant as gusts nearing hurricane-force levels fan flames in a parched and brush-filled landscape.
The National Weather Service has placed much of Southern California under an Extreme Fire Danger alert through Wednesday, describing the conditions as a "particularly dangerous situation." Meteorologist Todd Hall noted that the combination of powerful winds and severe drought creates an environment where even small sparks could trigger devastating wildfires.
"Life-threatening and destructive winds are already here," said Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley during a news conference. "We are not in the clear as of yet, and we must not let our guard down."
The winds, which reached up to 70 mph in parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, have already grounded firefighting aircraft in some areas, hampering efforts to contain existing fires like the Palisades and Eaton blazes. The Palisades Fire, which encroached on Brentwood neighborhoods over the weekend, is only 17% contained, while the Eaton Fire near Pasadena stands at 33% containment.
Authorities are preparing for the worst. Additional firefighters from across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico have joined local crews in an effort to combat the flames. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass acknowledged the challenges ahead, describing the destruction from previous fires as akin to a "dry hurricane." Planes have been dropping fire-retardant chemicals on vulnerable areas, while ground crews focus on securing containment lines.
The fires have already claimed significant ground. Four major blazes around Los Angeles have scorched more than 63 square miles, an area roughly three times the size of Manhattan. Nearly 100,000 residents remain under evacuation orders in Los Angeles County, although this number has halved since last week.
The human toll is mounting. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna reported at least 24 deaths and warned that the figure could rise, as more than two dozen people remain unaccounted for. Efforts to locate missing persons are ongoing, with authorities urging residents in high-risk areas to evacuate preemptively.
The fires have also spurred an increase in criminal activity. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced charges against nine individuals for looting in evacuated areas, including one group accused of stealing an Emmy award. Law enforcement has made 50 arrests related to looting, curfew violations, and the illegal use of drones that could interfere with firefighting operations.
Southern California Edison, the region's primary utility provider, is facing scrutiny over whether its equipment may have sparked any of the blazes. A lawsuit filed Monday alleges that the utility's infrastructure ignited the Eaton Fire. Edison has acknowledged ongoing investigations but has not commented further.
Residents are adapting to the uncertainty. In La Crescenta, Tim Kang described fleeing his home with his brothers as the fires spread. "Everything just felt like, 'Oh man, the world's ending,'" said Kang, who is now staying with his girlfriend in Pasadena. Others, like Tabitha Trosen, are keeping pets and essential items ready for a swift evacuation, underscoring the pervasive anxiety gripping the region.
