Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Winds fueling wildfires in the US city of Los Angeles are expected to pick up again in the early hours of Wednesday – after the 25th death from the huge week-long outbreak was confirmed.
Forecasters have redefined the “extreme fire danger” zone, highlighting the level of risk in the region northwest of the city center.
An expected increase in wind speeds threatens to fan the remaining four blazes, which firefighters have made further progress on during days of calm conditions.
There are hopes for another drop in wind speeds after Wednesday, but officials stressed the need for rain to help fire crews in their fight.
The 25th death was confirmed by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. Thirteen more people remain missing.
Most of the victims have died in the Eton fire, which has burned more than 14,000 hectares in the north of the city, but firefighters are now 35% contained.
Further west, the larger Palisades Fire has burned more than 23,000 acres and is now 18% contained. Two smaller fires also continue to burn.
Some victims of the Eaton fire are now allowed to return to their homes, though officials say they don’t have a firm date for reoccupation in the Palisades neighborhood, the upscale neighborhood ravaged by the fire for which it gave its name.
That’s why tens of thousands of people are still under evacuation orders – which also include a nighttime curfew – and thousands of homes have been destroyed in one of the costliest natural disasters in American history.
On Tuesday, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass described the scenes as “unbelievable,” vowing to use her executive powers to begin rapid recovery efforts.
Outlining other measures to help local residents, another official, the Los Angeles County Executive, said an emergency declaration would be issued to prevent an expected price increase by Los Angeles landlords during the crisis.
Critical conditions on Wednesday are due to the impact of moderate to locally strong Santa Ana winds combined with very low humidity, BBC forecaster Sarah Keith-Lucas said.
Winds are expected to peak again at 03:00 local time (11:00 GMT) within twelve hours, according to the local office of the National Weather Service (NWS). Gusts could reach 50 mph (80 km/h).
Winds are “lighter but still strong” compared to last week’s conditions, the NWS warned.
For this reason, areas northwest of Los Angeles — including Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks — were deemed particularly dangerous.
But conditions are forecast to improve later Thursday and Friday. Despite the change in winds, no precipitation is forecast for at least next week, added BBC forecaster Sarah Keith-Lucas. And Santa Ana winds, which have been blamed for fueling the fires, could develop again starting Sunday.
The Pasadena City Fire Chief reiterated the need for rainfall.
“There hasn’t been any real rain in southern California” for more than 250 days, Chad Augustine told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
On Wednesday, his firefighters will “stand watch to make sure we hold our containment lines and don’t burn down any more structures,” Mr. Augustine added.
