01/14/2025

Strong Winds Create ‘Critical’ Conditions in California

Sadly, 24 people have already died as a result of the fires

Winds are expected to intensify into midmorning Tuesday in Los Angeles and “critical fire weather conditions will continue,” forecasters say, as firefighters battle to contain the deadly blazes that have killed at least 24 people. The resurgent winds could cause “explosive fire growth,” according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

The authorities have issued “particularly dangerous situation” red flag warnings for parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties from 4 a.m. Tuesday until 12 p.m. Wednesday local time, warning that “this setup is about as bad as it gets.”

Rich Thompson, an incident meteorologist for the Palisades Fire — the largest of the four fires now burning — said the gusty Santa Ana winds, coupled with low humidity and tinder-dry brush, mean the conditions are “critical.” Firefighters are attempting to prevent that fire from reaching Brentwood, home to the Getty Center, and Interstate 405. The cause of the wildfires — forecast to be the costliest blaze in U.S. history — is unknown.

Please select this link to read the complete article from The Washington Post.