Fires threaten many neighborhoods as LA braces for strong winds

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New fires in Los Angeles have forced evacuation orders in the Brentwood and Bel Air high-rises, as the region braces for strong winds that could cause more problems for emergency responders battling the flames across the and district.

The number of people killed by the fires has risen to 11 as the disaster enters its fifth day. The Palisades fire, which started Tuesday morning, has burned 22,000 acres and is only 11 percent contained, officials said.

It is believed to be the deadliest fire in LA history.

Helicopters dropped water on Saturday over Mandeville Canyon, a landmark that is home to actor and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Brentwood’s evacuation orders have raised concerns about sites including the Getty Center, home to an art collection that includes works by Van Gogh, Rembrandt and Monet.

Karen Bass, the mayor of LA, said the Palisades fires are “slowly under control,” about 11 percent contained. But he warned that the area is “very vulnerable” to dry, strong Santa Ana winds expected to return Saturday afternoon. He urged residents not to try to “wait for the fire to go out” and get out immediately.

The National Weather Service has warned that the latest wave of strong winds will also hit the Topanga and Malibu beaches. It also predicts “wind events” between Monday night and Wednesday that could reach 60 to 70 kilometers per hour.

Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom are trying to avoid criticism of the response to the fire. Pacific Palisades firefighters were dismayed this week to find hydrants running out of water — a major problem during high winds that brought down helicopters and airplanes used to drop water on fires. The city’s storage tanks quickly suffocated as ground firefighters battled the blaze without air support.

Newsom said on Friday that he has ordered an investigation into the causes of the water supply problems. Newsom called the problems “very troubling,” adding that they “may have hampered efforts to protect other homes and evacuation routes.”

The city’s water and power authority issued a statement saying any claims that fire hydrants had broken before the fire were “false and false”.

Water pressure dropped due to “unprecedented and excessive water demand to fight wildfires without aerial support”, the Department of LA Water and Power said in a statement.

Firefighters from the rest of the US and Mexico came to LA to help more than 7,500 emergency workers from California. The National Guard has also been sent to the Palisades to protect the area from thieves.

The city has imposed a 12-hour curfew from 6 p.m. in areas under evacuation orders. “Not only do we have to protect ourselves from the fire, we also have to make sure that nobody goes up there and tries to rob,” Bass said. So far, about 20 thieves have been arrested.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms said it will lead the investigation into the cause of the Pacific Palisades fire. The state agency said it has fire investigators at the scene.

Firefighters were able to extinguish the Sunset fire, which threatened the Hollywood Hills and many landmarks, including the Hollywood sign. They also put out the Lidia fire north of Los Angeles, while two others are about 80 percent contained, according to Cal fire.