More fire evacuations are being prepared in blazing Los Angeles, with experts warning of a new dangerous weather situation on Wednesday. The region faces warnings of “extreme fire danger” and “significant risk of rapid fire spread,” with the death toll expected to rise, US media reported.
Forecasters said winds were below the danger level in the evening but were expected to increase overnight with potentially fire-prone gusts. Red flag warnings were in effect from Central California to the Mexican border until late Wednesday night.
Winds picked up Tuesday, but not to the hurricane levels that were forecast earlier in the day. However, the danger has not passed yet, officials said.
Tuesday’s forecast included a rare warning: Winds combined with severe dryness have created a “particularly dangerous situation,” the National Weather Service said, meaning any new fire could grow to a huge size. The forecast was later adjusted and wind gusts are now expected to increase early Wednesday.
Preparing for another outbreak
Aircraft doused homes and hillsides with bright pink flame retardant chemicals, while crews and fire trucks pelted particularly vulnerable areas with dry kindling.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and other officials criticised for the initial response expressed confidence that the region was prepared to deal with the new threat. The mayor said she was able to fly over the disaster areas, which she said resembled the aftermath of a “dry hurricane.”
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said winds this time will not reach the same speed as last week, but could hamper firefighting aircraft. He urged homeless people not to start fires to keep warm and to seek shelter.
Hollywood on pause
Hollywood’s awards season is on pause due to the recession. Oscar nominations have been postponed twice and some organisations have postponed their award shows and announcements without rescheduling.
This is the fourth time in recent months that Los Angeles has faced an “especially dangerous weather situation,” and all three previous warnings resulted in major wildfires.
As of Tuesday morning, 84,800 people had been warned that they may be ordered to evacuate due to the fire danger, while another 88,000 remained under active evacuation orders. In the afternoon, officials said at least 25 people had died in the fires. More than 12,000 structures were destroyed. Damage was estimated at about $250 billion, which could make it the costliest fire in American history.
